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.-@^l _ BIOGRAPHICAL 



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MADISON COUNTY, 

. ILLINOIS . 

cOjYt.ii.vi.vc iiiocn.irii ic.ii. sKr/rciiKs of 

PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OP THE COUNTY, 

Together with liio(,RAriiii;s ami Portraits ov ai,i, the 

PpQsidoi)ls <)rTl)(> [in i tod Stcitos. 



{ IIKACO: 
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I IK greatest of English historians, IMacaulay, and one of the most brilliant writers of 
till- present century-, has said: "The history of a country is best tuld iu a record of tlic 
lives of its people." In couforniity with this idea the Poutrait and Bioorapiiicai 
l\Ei OKI' ' of this county has ';ccn prepared. Instead of going to nuisty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few, oui 
p^jlaf corjjs of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by theii 
enterprise and industr}-, brought the county to rank sect)nd to none among those 
comprising tiiis great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of their life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent |)i:hlic. In this volume will be found a record of many wlmse lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, commencing life in i)overty, by 
industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
^r-'\- inlluence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
w$i have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
^^y^^C^SJ* ''Pcome famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and 
'^ ^ records how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also of many, very 

many, who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of tlie woman performing a deed of mercy — "they have done what 
tliey could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood left the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their country's 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their elTorts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a s.acred treasure, from the f.act 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into pul)lic records, and which would otiierwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunitj' possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what li.os been written, and tlio publishers Hatter them 
'selves tii.at they give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biograpb 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of many, will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some refused to give tiie 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
the family would oppose the enterprise, and on account of sucli opjiosition the sujiport of the interested 
one would l)C withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated caIIs were mado 
at their residence or place of business. 

August, 18t>4. BioonAi'iiicAi. Piiiii.isiiini; Co. 



PORTRAITS 



AND 



••• BIOGRAPHIES •• 



OF THE 



« PRESIDENTS 






OF THE 



UNITED STATES. 






^i^uM^M'K 




-•V*>N 



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't 





6L/^^Cyt^^?^^^'^ 






GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



HE Father of our Couiitn- was boni in West- 
moreland Count)-, \'a., Februar}- 22, 1732. 
His parents were Augustine and Mary (Ball) 
Wasliinj^ton. The family to which he belonged 
has not been satisfactorih- traced in England. 
His great-grandfather, Jolm Washington, emi- 
grated to Virginia about 1657, and became a 
prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence 
and John. The former married Mildred Warner, 
and had three children, John, Augustine and 
Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, 
two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of .si.x children by his second mar- 
riage, George was the eldest, the others being 
Betty, Samuel, John Augustine, Charles and 
Mildred. 

Augustine Washington, the father of George, 
died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. 
To his eldest son, Lawrence, he becpieathed an 
estate on the Potomac, afterwards known as Mt. 
Vernon, and to George he left the parental resi- 
dence. George received only such education as 
the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a 
short time after he left .school, when he received 
private instruction in mathematics. His .spelling 
was rather defective. Remarkable stories are 
told of his great physical strength and develop- 
ment at an early age. He was an acknowledged 
leader among his companions, and was early 
noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and 
veracity wliich characterized his whole life. 

W'lien George was fourteen years old he had a 
desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant 
was secured for him, but through the ojiposition 
of his mother the itlea was abandoned. Two 



years later he was appointed sur\xyor to the im- 
mense estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business 
he spent three years in a rough frontier life, 
gaining experience which afterwards proved verj' 
essential to him. In 1751, though only nineteen 
years of age, he was appointed Adjutant, with the 
rank of Major, in the Virginia militia, then being 
trained for active service against the French and 
Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West 
Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there 
to restore his health. They soon returned, and 
in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a 
large fortune to an infant daughter, who did not 
long sur\'ive him. On her demise the estate of 
Mt. Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie as Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia 
was reorganized, and the province divided into 
four military districts, of wliich the northern was 
assigned to Washington as Adjutant-General. 
Shortly after this a very perilous mission, which 
others had refused, was assigned him and ac- 
cepted. This was to proceed to the French post 
near Lake Erie, in northwestern Pennsylvania. 
The distance to be traversed was about six hun- 
dred miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey 
was to be made without military escort, through 
a territorj' occupied by Indians. The trip was a 
perilous one, and .several times he nearly lost his 
life, ])ul he returned in safety and furnished a full 
and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of three hundred men was rai.sed in Virginia and 
put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Maj. 
Wa.shington was commissioned Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel. Active war was then begun against the 
French and Indians, iu which Washington took 



20 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



a most important part. In the memorable event 
of July 9, 1755, known as "Braddock's defeat," 
Washington was almost the only officer of dis- 
tinction who e.scaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. 

Having been for five years in the military serv- 
ice, and having vainly sought promotion in the 
royal army, he took advantage of the fall of Ft. Du- 
quesue and the expulsion of the French from the 
valle\- of the Ohio to resign his commission. Soon 
after he entered the Legislature, where, although 
not a leader, he took an active and important 
part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha 
(DandriJge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John 
Parke Custis. 

Wiisn the British Parliament had closed the 
port of Bo.ston, the cry went up throughout the 
provinces, ' ' The cause ot Boston is the cause of 
us all! " It was then, at the suggestion of Vir- 
ginia, that a congress of all the colonies was 
called to meet at Philadelphia September 5, 
1774, to secure their common liberties, peaceably 
if possible. To this congress Col. Washington 
was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
congress re-assembled, when the hostile inten- 
tions of England were plainly apparent. The 
battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought, 
and among the first acts of this congress was the 
election of a commander-in-chief of the Colonial 
forces. This high and responsible office was con- 
ferred upon Washington, who was still a member 
of the congress. He accepted it on June 19, but 
upon the express condition that he receive no sal- 
ary. He would keep an exact account of ex- 
penses, and expect congress to pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch 
to trace the military acts of Washington, to whom 
the fortunes and liberties of the people of this 
country were so long confided. The war was 
conducted by him under every possible disadvan- 
tage; and while his forces often met with reverses, 
yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven 
years of heroic devotion and matchless skill he 
gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. 
On December 23, 1783, Washington, in a parting 
address of surpassing beauty, resigned his com- 
mission as Commander-in-Chief of the army to the 



Continental Congress sitting at Amiapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mt. Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning 
all connection with public life. 

In February, 1789, Washington was unani- 
mously elected President, and at the expiration 
of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. 
At the end of this term many were anxious that he 
be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third 
nomination. On March 4, 1797, at the expiration 
of his second term as President, he returned to his 
home, hoping to pass there his few remaining 
years free from the annoyances of public life. 
Later in the year, however, his repose seemed 
likely to be interrupted by war with France. At 
the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the army, but he chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accepting the command, he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these prepara- 
tions his life was suddenly cut off. December 1 2 
he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, 
which, settling in his throat, produced inflamma- 
tion, and terminated fatally on the night of the 
14th. On the i8th his body was borne with mili- 
tary honors to its final resting-place, and interred 
in the family vault at Mt. Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible 
to speak but in terms of the highest respect and 
admiration. The more we see of the operations 
of our government, and the more deeply we feel 
the difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common 
interest, the more highly we must estimate the 
force of his talent and character, which have been 
able to challenge the reverence of all parties, 
and principles, and nations, and to win a fame as 
extended as the limits of the globe, and which we 
cannot but believe will be as lasting as the exist- 
ence of man. 

In person, Washington was unusually tall, erect 
and well proportioned, and his muscular strength 
was great. His features were of a beausiful sym- 
metry. He commanded respect without any ap- 
pearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious 
without being dull. 





mu 



JOHN ADAMS. 



(TOHN ADAMS, the second President and the 
I first Vice-President of the United States, was 
Q) born in Braintree (now Quincy) Mass., and 
about ten miles from Boston, October 19, 1735. 
His great-grandfather, Henrj- Adams, emigrated 
from England about 1640, with a family of eight 
.sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of 
John were John and Susannah (Boylston) 
Adams. His father, who was a farmer of limited 
means, also engaged in the business of shoe- 
making. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical 
education at Harward College. John graduated 
in 1755, and at once took charge of the school at 
Worcester, Mass. This he found but a ' ' school 
of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain 
relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For tliis purpose he placed himself 
luidcr the tuition of the onlj- lawyer in the town. 
He had thought seriously of the clerical profes- 
sion, but seems to have been turned from this by 
what he termed " the frightful engines of ecclesi- 
astical councils, of diabolical malice, and Calviu- 
istic good nature," of the operations of which he 
had been a witness in his native town. He was 
well fitted for the legal profession, possessing a 
clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of 
speech, and having quick perceptive powers. He 
gradually gained a practice, and in 1764 married 
Abigail Smith, a daughter of a mini.ster, and a 
lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, in 1765, the attempt at parliamentary 
taxation turned him from law to politics. He 
took initial .steps toward holding a town meeting, 
and the resolutions he offered on the subject be- 
came very popular throughout the province, and 
were adopted word for word bj- over forty differ- 
ent towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and 
l>ecame one of the most courageous and promi- 
nent advocates of the popular cause, and was 
chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
islature) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first dele- 



gates from Massachusetts to the first Continent- 
al Congress, which met in 1774. Here he dis- 
tinguished himself by his capacity for business 
and for debate, and advocated the movement for 
independence against the majority of the mem- 
bers. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a res- 
olution in Congress that the Colonies should 
assume the duties of self-government. He was a 
prominent member of the committee of five ap- 
pointed June 1 1 to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, 
but on Adams devolved the task of battling it 
through Congress in a three-days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independ- 
ence was passed, while his soul was yet warm 
with the glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter 
to his wife, which, as we read it now, seems to 
have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. 
"Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question 
was decided that ever was debated in America; 
and greater, perhaps, never was or will be de- 
cided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, 'that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and in- 
dependent states.' The day is passed. The 
Fourth of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch 
in the history of America. I am apt to believe it 
will be celebrated by succeeding generations as 
the great anniversary festival. It ought to be 
commemorated as the day of deliverance by 
solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It 
ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, 
sports, guns, bells, bonfires and ilhiminations 
from one end of the continent to the other, from 
this time forward forever. You will think me 
transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I 
am well aware of the toil and blood and treas- 
ure that it will cost to maintain' this declaration 
and snjjport and defend the.se States; >et, through 
all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and 
glory. I can see that the end is worth more than 
all the means, and that posterity will triumph, 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



although you and I may rue, which I hope we 
shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was appointed 
a delegate to France, and to co-operate with Ben- 
jamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then 
in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in 
arms and money from the French government. 
This was a severe trial to his patriotism, as it 
separated him from his home, compelled him to 
cross the ocean in winter, and exposed him to 
great peril of capture by the British cruisers, who 
were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was 
again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold him- 
self in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and 
of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the 
Briti.sli cabinet might be found willing to listen 
to such proposals. He sailed for France in No- 
vember, and from there he went to Holland, where 
he negotiated important loans and formed im- 
portant commercial treaties. 

Finally, a treaty of peace with England was 
signed, Januarj' 21 , 1783. The re-action from the 
excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. 
Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After 
suffering from a continued fever and becoming 
feeble and emaciated, he was advised to go to 
England to drink the waters of Bath. While in 
England, still drooping and desponding, he re- 
ceived dispatches from his own government urg- 
ing the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health 
was delicate, 3'et he immediately set out, and 
through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he 
made the trip. 

February 24, 1785, Congress appointed Mr. 
Adams envoy to the Court of St. James. Here 
he met face to face the King of England, who 
had so long regarded him as a traitor. As Eng- 
land did not condescend to appoint a minister to 
the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he 
was accomplishing but little, he sought permis- 
sion to return to his own country, where he ar- 
rived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, 
John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal 
services at home and abroad, was chosen Vice- 



President. Again, at the second election uf Wash- 
ington as President, Adams was chosen Vice- 
President. In 1796, Washington retired from 
public life, and Mr. Adams was elected President, 
though not without much opposition. Serving 
in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr. 
Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

While Mr. Adams was Vice-President the 
great French Revolution shook the continent of 
Europe, and it was upon this point that he was 
at issue with the majority of his countrymen, led 
by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy 
with the French people in their struggle, for he 
had no confidence in their power of self-govern- 
ment, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist 
philosophers who, he claimed, caused it. On the 
other hand, Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence 
originated the alienation between these distin- 
tinguished men, and the two powerful parties were 
thus soon organized, with Adams at the head of 
the one whose sympathies were with England, 
and Jefferson leading the other in sympathy with 
France. 

The Fourth of July, 1826, which completed the 
half-century since the signing of the Declaration 
of Independence, arrived, and there were but 
three of the signers of that immortal instrument 
left upon the earth to hail its morning light. 
And, as it is well known, on that day two of 
these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coinci- 
dence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For 
a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly 
failing, and on the morning of the Fourth he 
found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On 
being requested to name a toast for the cus- 
tomary celebration of the day, he exclaimed 
"Independence forever!" When the day was 
ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing 
of cannons, he was asked by one of his attend- 
ants if he knew what day it was ? He replied, 
"O yes, it is the glorious Fourth of July — God 
bless it — God bless you all!" In the course of 
the day he said, "It is a great and glorious 
day." The last words he uttered were, "Jeffer- 
son survives." But he had, at one o'clock, 
resigned his spirit into the hands of his God, 



% 





5^2^/^ 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



'HOMAS JEFFERSON was born April 2, 
1743, at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Va. 
His parents were Peter and Jane (Ran- 
dolph; Jefferson, the fonner a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in London. To them were 
l)orn six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas 
was the elder. When fourteen years of age his 
father died. He received a most liberal educa- 
tion, having been kept diligently at school from 
the time lie was five years of age. In 1760 he 
entered William and Mary College. Williams- 
burg was then the seat of the Colonial court, and 
it was the abode of fashion and splendor. Young 
Jefferson, who was then seventeen years old, lived 
somewhat expen.sively, keeping fine horses, and 
going much into gaj^ .society; j'et he was ear- 
nestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachable in 
his morals. In the second year of his college 
course, moved by some unexplained impul.se, he 
discarded his old companions and pursuits, and 
often devoted fifteen hours a daj- to hard study. 
He thus attained very high intellectual culture, 
and a like excellence in philosophy and the lan- 
guages. 

Immediately upon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the .short time he continued 
in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly, 
and distingui.shed himself by his energj' and 
acuteness as a law>'er. But the times called for 
greater action. The policy of England had awak- 
ened the .spirit of resistance in the American Col- 
onies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had 
ever entertained soon led him into active politi- 
cal life. In 1 769 he was cho.sen a member of the 
X'irginia House of Burgesses. In 1772 he mar- 



ried Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful, 
wealth}', and highlj' accomplished young widow. 

In 1775 he was .sent to the Colonial Congress, 
where, thougli a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and he 
was placed upon a number of important com- 
mittees, and was chairman of the one appointed 
for the drawing up of a declaration of independ- 
ence. This committee consisted of Thomas Jef- 
ferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger 
Sherman and Robert R. Livingston. Jefferson, 
as chainnan, was appointed to draw up the paper. 
Franklin and Adams suggested a few verbal 
changes before it was submitted to Congress. On 
June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by 
Congress, and it was passed and signed July 4, 
1776. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected .succes.sor to 
Patrick Henry as Governor of Virginia. At one 
time the British officer Tarleton sent a secret 
expedition to Monticello to capture the Governor. 
Scarcely five minutes elapsed after the hurried 
escape of Mr. Jefferson and his family ere his 
mansion was in possession of the British troops. 
His wife's health, never verj' good, was much 
injured by this excitement, and in the summer 
of 1782 she died. 

Mr. Jeffenson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two years later he was appointed Minister Pleni- 
potentiary to France. Returning to the United 
States in September, 1789, he became Secretary 
of State in Washington's cabinet. This position 
he resigned January i, 1794. In 1797, he was 
chosen Vice-President, and four years later was 
elected President over Mr. Adams, with Aaron 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



Burr as Vice-President. In 1804 he was re- 
elected with wonderful unanimity, George Clin- 
ton being elected Vice-President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second ad- 
ministration was disturbed by an event which 
threatened the tranquillity and peace of the Union; 
this was the conspiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated 
in the late election to the Vice-Presidency, and 
led on by an unprincipled ambition, this extraor- 
dinary man formed the plan of a military ex- 
pedition into the Spanish territories on our south- 
western frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This was generallj^ supposed 
to have been a mere pretext; and although it has 
not been generally known what his real plans 
were, there is no doubt that they were of a far 
more dangerous character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term 
for which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he de- 
termined to retire from political life. For a period 
of nearly forty years he had been continually be- 
fore the public, and all that time had been em- 
ployed in offices of the greatest trust and respon- 
sibility. Having thus devoted the best part of 
his life to the service of his countrj', he now felt 
desirous of that rest which his declining years re- 
quired, and upon the organization of the new ad- 
ministration, in March, 1809, he bade farewell for- 
■vver to public life and retired to Monticello, his 
famous country home, which, next to Mt. Vernon, 
was the most distinguished residence in the land. 

The Fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth an- 
niversary of the Declaration of American Inde- 
pendence, great preparations were made in every 
part of the Union for its celebration as the nation' s 
jubilee, and the citizens of Washington, to add to 
the solemnity of the occasion, invited Mr. Jeffer- 
son, as the framer and one of the few surviving 
signers of the Declaration, to participate in their 
festivities. But an illness, which had been of 
several weeks' duration and had been continually 
increasing, compelled him to decline the invita- 
tion. 

On the 2d of July the disease under which he 
was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants entertained no 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was 



perfectlj"^ sensible that his last hour was at hand. 
On the next day, which was Monday, he asked 
of those around him the day of the month, and 
00 being told it was the 3d of July, he ex- 
pressed the earnest wish that he might be per- 
mitted to breathe the air of the fiftieth anniver- 
sary. His prayer was heard — that day whose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture through our 
land burst upon his eyes, and then they were 
closed forever. And what a noble consummation 
of a noble life! To die on that day — the birth- 
day of a nation — the day which his own name 
and his own act had rendered glorious, to die 
amidst the rejoicings and festivities of a whole 
nation, who looked up to him as the author, un- 
der God, of their greatest blessings, was all that 
was wanting to fill up the record of his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the cham- 
pions of freedom ; hand in hand, during the dark 
and desperate struggle of the Revolution, they 
had cheered and animated their desponding coun- 
trymen; for half a century they had labored to- 
gether for the good of the country, and now hand 
in hand they departed. In their lives they had 
been united in the same great cause of liberty, 
and in their deaths they were not divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair, originally red, in after life be- 
came white and silvery, his complexion was fair, 
his forehead broad, and his whole countenance 
intelligent and thoughtful. He possessed great 
fortitude of mind as well as personal courage, and 
his command of temper was such that his oldest 
and most intimate friends never recollected to 
have seen him in a passion. His manners, though 
dignified, were simple and unaffected, and his 
hospitality was so unbounded that all found at 
his house a ready welcome. In conversation he 
was fluent, eloquent and enthusiastic, and his 
language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finished cla.ssical scholar, and in his writ- 
ings is discernible the care with which he formed 
his style upon the best models of antiquity. 



'^•1*^ 




J(lAAA^ ,cy^ &<.y*'^ CTK. 



JAMES MADISON. 



3 AMES MADISON, "Father of the Consti- 
tution," and fourth President of the United 
vStatc-s, was born March i5, 1757, and died 
ai his home in Virginia June 28, 1836. The 
name of James Madison is inseparably connected 
with most of tlie important events in that heroic 
period of our countrj- during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubhc were laid. He was 
the last of the founders of the Constitution of the 
United States to be called to his eternal reward. 

The Madison family were among the early emi- 
grants to the New World, landing upon the shores 
of the Chesapeake but fifteen years after the .settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of James Madison 
was an opulent planter, residing upon a very fine 
estate called Montpelier, in Orange County, Va. 
It was but twenty-five miles from the home of Jef- 
ferson at Monticello, and the clo.sest personal and 
political attachment existed Ix^tween these illustri- 
ous men from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was con- 
ducted mostly at home under a private tutor. At 
tlie age of eighteen he was sent to Princeton Col- 
lege, in New Jensey. Here he applied himself to 
studj- with the most imprudent zeal, allowing him- 
self for months but three hours' sleep out of the 
l\vent\--fi>ur. His health thus became .so seriously 
iniitaired that he never recovered any vigor of 
constitution. He graduated in 1 77 1 , with a feeble 
bcMly, but with a character of utmost purity, and 
a mind highly disciplined and richly stored with 
learning, which embellished and gave eflSciency 
to his subsequent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study 
of law and a course of extensive and systematic 
reading. This educational course, the .spirit of 
the times in which he lived, and the .society with 
which he as.sociated, all combined to inspire him 
with a strong love of liberty, and to train him for 
his life-work as a statesman. 

In the spring of 1776, when twenty-six years of 



age, he was elected a member of the Virginia Con- 
vention to frame the constitution of the State. The 
next year (1777), he was a candidate for the Gen- 
eral Assembly. He refused to treat the whisky-lov- 
ing voters, and consequently lost his election ; but 
those who had witne.s.sed the talent, energy and 
public spirit of the modest young man enlisted 
themselves in his behalf, and he was appointed to 
the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henrj- and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison re- 
mained member of the Council, and their apprecia- 
tion of his intellectual, .social and moral worth 
contributed not a little to his subsequent eminence. 
In the year 17S0 he was elected a member of the 
Continental Congress. Here he met the most il- 
lustrious men in our land, and he was immediately 
a.ssigned to one of the most con.spicuous positions 
among them . For three years he continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and influential mem- 
bers. In 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter inefficiency of the old confederacy, with no 
national government, and no power to form trea- 
ties which would be binding, or to enforce law. 
There was not any State more prominent than 
Virginia in the declaration that an efficient na- 
tional government must be formed. In January, 
17S6, Mr. Madi.son carried a resolution through 
the General A.s.sembly of Virginia, inviting the 
other States to appoint commissioners to meet in 
convention at Aiuiapolis to discuss this subject. 
Five vStates only were represented. The conven- 
tion, however, issued another call, drawn up by 
Mr. Madi.son, urging all the States to .send their 
delegates to Philadelphia in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the 
place of the Confederate League. The delegates 
met at the time appointed. Everj- State but 
Rhode Island was represented. George Washing- 



32 



JAMES MADISON. 



ton was chosen president of the convention, and the 
present Constitution of the United States was then 
and there formed. There was, perhaps, no mind 
and no pen more active in framing this immortal 
document than the mind and the pen of James 
Madison. 
The Constitution, adopted by a vote of eighty-one 
to seventy-nine, was to be presented to the several 
States for acceptance. But grave solicitude was 
felt. Should it be rejected, we should be left but a 
conglomeration of independent States, with but 
little power at home and little respect abroad. Mr. 
Madison was elected by the convention to draw up 
an address to the people of the United States, ex- 
pounding the principles of the Constitution, and 
urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but at length it triumphed over all, 
and went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Repre- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became 
the avowed leader of the Republican party. While 
in New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. 
Todd, a young widow of remarkable power of fas- 
cination, whom he married. She was in person 
and character queenly, and probaby no lady has 
thus far occupied so prominent a position in the 
very peculiar societ>' which has constituted our 
republican court as did Mrs. Madison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary of State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of 
war. British orders in council destroyed our com- 
merce, and our flag was exposed to constant insult. 
Mr. Madison was a man of peace. Scholarly in 
his taste, retiring in his disposition, war had no 
charms for him. But the meekest spirit can be 
roused. It makes one's blood boil, even now, to 
think of an American ship brought to upon the 
ocean by the guns of an English cruiser. A 
young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great non- 
chalance he selects any number whom he may 
please to designate as British subjects, orders them 
down the ship's side into his boat, and places them 
on the gundeck of his man-of-war, to fight, by 
compulsion, the battles of England. This right 



of search and impressment no efibrts of our Gov- 
ernment could induce the British cabinet to re- 
linquish. 

On the i8th of June, 1812, President Madison 
gave his approval to an act of Congress declaring 
war against Great Britain. Notwithstanding the 
bitter hostility of the Federal party to the war, the 
country in general approved; and Mr. Madison, 
on the 4th of March, 18 13, was re-elected by a 
large majority, and entered upon his second term 
of ofiBce. This is not the place to describe the 
various adventures of this war on the land and on 
the water. Our infant navy then laid the found- 
ations of its renown in grappling with the most 
formidable power which ever swept the seas'. The 
contest commenced in earnest bj^ the appearance 
of a British fleet, early in February, 18 13, in 
Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole coast 
of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as 
mediator. America accepted; England refused. 
A British force of five thousand men landed on the 
banks of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into 
Chesapeake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of 
Bladensburg, upon Washington. 

The straggling little city of Washington was 
thrown into con,sternation. The cannon of the 
brief conflict at Bladensburg echoed through the 
streets of the metropolis. The whole population 
fled from the city. The President, leaving Mrs. 
Madison in the White House, with her carriage 
drawn up at the door to await his speedy return, 
hurried to meet the officers in a council of war. 
He met our troops utterly routed, and he could not 
go back without danger of being captured. But 
few hours elapsed ere the Presidential Mansion, 
the Capitol, and all the public buildings in Wash- 
ington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and 
on Februarj' 13, 1815, the treaty of peace was 
signed at Ghent. On the 4th of March, 1817, his 
second term of office expired, and he resigned the 
Presidential chair to his friend, James Monroe. 
He retired to his beautiful home at Montpelier, and 
there passed the remainder of his days. On June 
28, 1836, at the age of eighty-five years, he fell 
asleep in death. Mrs, Madison died July 12, 1849. 





i^-i,H<7 



JAMES MONROE. 



(TAM'gS MONROE, the fifth President of the 
I United States, was born in Westmoreland 
C) County, Va., April 28, 1758. His early life 
was passed at the place of his nativity. His an- 
cestors had for many years resided in the province 
in which he was boni. When he was seventeen 
years old, and in process of completing his educa- 
tion at William and Mary College, the Colonial 
Congress, assembled at Philadelphia to deliberate 
upon the unjust and manifold oppressions of Great 
Britain, declared the separation of the Colonies, 
and promulgated the Declaration of Independence. 
Had he been born, ten j-ears before, it is highly 
prciliable that he would have been one of the 
signers of that celebrated instrument. At this 
time he left school and enlisted among the pa- 
triots. 

He joined the army when everj'thing looked 
hopeless and gloomy. The number of deserters 
increased from daj- to daj-. The invading armies 
came pouring in, and the Tories not only favored 
the cause of the mother country, but disheartened 
the new recruits, who were sufficiently terrified 
at the prospect of contending with an enemy 
whom they had been taught to deem invincible. 
To such brave spirits as James Monroe, who went 
right onward undismayed through difficulty and 
danger, the United States owe their political 
emancipation. The young cadet joined the ranks 
and espoused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm detennination to live or die in her 
strife for liberty. Firmly, yet sadlj-, he .shared in 
the melancholy retreat from Harlem Heights 
and White Plains, and accompanied the disi)irited 
army as it fled before its foes through New Jersej-. 
In four months after the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, the patriots had been beaten in .seven 
battles. At the battle of Trenton he led the van- 
guard, and in the act of charging upon the enemy 
he received a wound in the left shoulder. 



As a reward for his braver>', Mr. Monroe was 
promoted to be captain of infantry, and, having re- 
covered from his wounds, he rejoined the army. 
He, however, receded from the line of promotion 
by becoming an officer on the .staff of I^ord Ster- 
ling. During the campaigns of 1777 and 1778, 
in the actions of Brandywine, Germantown and 
Monmouth, he continued aide-de-camp; but be- 
coming desirous to regain his position in the 
army, he exerted him.self to collect a regiment for 
the Virginia line. This .scheme failed, owing to 
the exhausted condition of the State. Upon this 
failure he entered the office of Mr. JefFenson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued with cousid- 
erable ardor the study of common law. He did 
not, however, entirely laj' aside the knapsack for 
the green bag, but on the inva.sion of the enemy 
served as a volunteer during the two years of his 
legal pursuits. 

In 17S2 he was elected from King George 
County a member of the Legislature of Virginia, 
and by that body he was elevated to a seat in the 
Executive Council. He was thus honored with 
the confidence of his fellow-citizens at twenty- 
three years of age, and having at this early period 
displayed some of that ability and aptitude foi 
legislation which were afterward employed with 
iniremitting energy for the public good, he was 
in the succeeding year chosen a member of the 
Congress of the United States. 

Deeply as Mr. Monroe felt the imperfections of 
the old Confederacj-, he w-as opposed to the new 
Constitution, thinking, with many others of the 
Republican party, that it gave too much power to 
the Central Government, and not enough to the 
individual States. Still he retained the esteem 
of his friends who were its warm supporters, and 
who, notwith.standing his opposition, secured its 
adoption. In 1789 he became a member of the 
United States Senate, which office he held for 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



four 3-ear.s. Every month the Hne of distinction 
between the two great parties which divided the 
nation, the Federal and the Republican, was 
growing more distinct. The differences which 
now separated them lay in the fact that the Repub- 
lican party was in sympathy with France, and 
also in favor of such a strict con,struction of the 
Con.stitution as to give the Central Government as 
little power, and the State Govemmtnts as much 
power, as the Constitution would warrant; while 
the Federalists .sympathized with England, and 
were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much power to the 
Central Government as that document could pos- 
sibly authorize. 

Washington was then President. England had 
espoused the cause of the Bourbons against the 
principles of the French Revolution. All Europe 
was drawn into the conflict. We were feeble and 
far away. Washington issued a proclamation of 
neutrality between these contending powers. 
France had helped us in the struggles for our 
liberties. All the despotisms of Europe were now 
combined to prevent the French from escaping 
from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse than that 
which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more mag- 
nanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
whatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a gener- 
ous and noble nature, and Washington, who could 
appreciate such a character, showed his calm, se- 
rene, almost divine, greatness, by appointing that 
very James Monroe who was denouncing the pol- 
icy of the Government, as the minister of that 
Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Conven- 
tion in France with the most enthusiastic dem- 
onstration. 

Shortly after his return to this country, Mr. 
Monroe was elected Governor of Virginia, and 
held the ofiice for three years. He was again 
sent to France to co-operate with Chancellor Liv- 
ingston in obtaining the vast territory then known 
as the province of Louisiana, which France had 
but shortly before obtained from Spain. Their 
united efforts were succes.sful. For the compara- 
tively small .sum of fifteen millions of dollars, the 



entire territory of Orleans and district of Loui- 
siana were added to the United States. This was 
probably the largest transfer of real estate which 
was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to 
obtain from that countr\' some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remon.strate against 
those odious impressments of our seamen. But 
England was unrelenting. He again returned to 
England on the same mission, but could receive 
no redress. He returned to his home and was 
again chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon 
resigned to accept the position of Secretary' of 
State under Madison. While in this office war 
with England was declared, the Secretary of War 
resigned, and during these trying times the 
duties of the War Department were also put upon 
him. He was truly the armor-bearer of President 
Madison, and the most efficient business man in 
his cabinet. Upon the return of peace he re- 
signed the Department of War, but continued in 
the office of Secretary of State until the expira- 
tion of Mr. Madison's administration. At the 
election held the previous autumn, Mr. Monroe 
himself had been chosen President with but little 
opposition, and upon March 4, 1817, he was in- 
augurated. Four years later he was elected for 
a second term. 

Among the important measures of his Presi- 
dency were the cession of Florida to the United 
States, the Missouri Compromise, and the famous 
"Monroe doctrine." This doctrine was enun- 
ciated by him in 1823, and was as follows: " That 
we should consider any attempt on the part of 
European powers to extend their system to any 
portion of this hemisphere as dangerous to our 
peace and .safety," and that "we could not view 
any interposition for the purpose of oppressing or 
controlling American governments or provinces 
in any other light than as a manifestation by 
European powers of an unfriendly disposition 
toward the United States." 

At the end of his second term, Mr. Monroe re- 
tired to his home in Virginia, where he lived ini- 
til 1830, when he went to New York to live with 
his son-in-law. In that city he died, on the 4th 
of July, 1831. 




j, _ ^, ALow 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



QOIIN QUINCY ADAMS, the sixth rrcsidcnt 

I (if the United States, was born in the rural 
Q) home of his honored father, John Adams, in 
Unincv, Mass., on the nth of July, 1767. His 
tnollier, a woman of exalted worth, watched over 
liis childhood during the almost constant ab- 
.sence of his father. When but eight years of 
age, he stood with his mother on an eminence, 
listening to the booming of the great battle on 
Hunker's Hill, and gazing out upon the smoke 
and flames billowing up from the conflagration of 
Charlestown. 

When but eleven years old he took a tearful 
adieu of his mother, to sail with his father for Eu- 
rope, through a fleet of hostile British cruisers. 
The liright, animated boy spent a jear and a-half 
in Paris, where his father was a.ssociated with 
I'ranklin and Lee as Minister Plenipotentiar}'. 
His intelligence attracted the notice of these dis- 
tinguished men, and he received from them flat- 
tering marks of attention. 

John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
country, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad. 
Again John Quiucy accompanied his father. At 
Paris he applied himself to study with great dil- 
igence for six months, and then accompanied his 
father to Holland, where he entered first a school 
in Amsterdam, then the University at Lej-den. 
About a year from this time, in 1781, when the 
manly boy was but fourteen years of age, he was 
selected by Mr. Dana, our Minister to the Rus- 
sian court, as his private secretary. 

In this school of incessant labor and of ennobl- 
ing culture he spent fourteen mouths, and then 
returned to Holland, through Sweden, Denmark, 
Hamburg and Bremen. This long journey he 
took alone in the winter, when in his sixteenth 
year. Again he resumed his studies, under a pri- 
vate tutor, at The Hague. Then, in the .spring of 
17.S2, he accompanied his father to Paris, travel- 
ing leisurely, and fonning acquaintances w'ith the 
most distinguished men on the continent, examin- 



ing architectural remains, galleries of paintings, 
and all renowned works of art. At Paris he 
again became associated with the most illustrious 
men of all lands in the contemplation of the 
loftiest temporal themes which can engro.ss the 
human mind. After a short vi.sit to England he 
returned to Paris, and consecrated all his energies 
to study until May, 1785, when he returned to 
America to finish his education. 

Upon leaving Han-ard College at the age of 
twent}-, he studied law for three j^ears. In June, 
1794, being then but twenty-seven years of age, 
he was appointed by Washington Resident Min- 
ister at the Netherlands. Sailing from Bo.ston in 
Jul)-, he reached London in October, where he 
was immediately admitted to the deliberations ol 
Messrs. Jay & Pinckney, assisting them in nego- 
tiating a commercial treaty with Great Britain. 
After thus spending a fortnight in London, he 
proceeded to The Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left The Hague to go to Por- 
tugal as Minister Plenipotentiani'. On his way to 
Portugal, upon arriving in London, he met with 
despatches directing him to the court of Berlin, but 
requesting him to remain in London until he 
.should receive his instructions. While waiting 
he was married to an American lady, to whom he 
had been previously engaged — Miss Louisa Cath- 
erine Johnson, a daughter of Joshua Johnson, 
American Consul in London, and a lady en- 
dowed with that beauty and those accomplish- 
ments which eminently fitted her to move in the 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. He 
reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797, 
where he remained until July, 1799, when, hav- 
ing fulfilled all the purposes of his mission, he so 
licited his recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen 
to the Senate of Massachusetts from Boston, and 
then was elected Senator of the United States for 
six years, from the 4th of March, 1804. His rep- 
utation, his ability and his experience placed 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



him immediately among the most prominent and 
niflueiitial members of that body. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the 
Presidential chair, and he immediately nominated 
John Quincy Adams Minister to St. Petersburgh. 
Resigning his professorship in Harvard Col- 
lege, he embarked at Boston in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense 
student. He devoted his attention to the lan- 
guage and history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; 
to the Kuvopean .system of weights, measures and 
coins; to the climate and astronomical observa- 
tions; while he kept up a familiar acquaintance 
with the Greek and Latin classics. In all the 
universities of Europe, a more accomplished 
scholar could .scarcely be found. All through 
life the Bible constituted an important part of his 
studies. It was his rule to read five chapters 
even,' day. 

On the 4th of March, 1S17, Mr. Monroe took 
the Presidential chair, and immediately appointed 
Mr. Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of 
his numerous friends in public and private life in 
Europe, he sailed in June, 18 19, for the United 
States. On the i8th of August, he again crossed 
the threshold of his home in Ouincy. During the 
eight years of Mr. Monroe's administration, Mr. 
Adams contimied Secretan,- of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's 
second term of office, new candidates began to be 
presented for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. 
Adams brought forward his name. It was an 
exciting campaign, and party spirit was never 
more bitter. Two hundred and sixty electoral 
votes were cast. Andrew Jackson received ninety- 
nine; John Quincy Adams eighty-four; William 
H. Crawford forty-one; and Henrj- Clay thirty- 
seven. As there was no choice by the people, 
the question went to the House of Representa- 
tives. Mr. Claj- gave the vote of Kentuckj' to 
Mr. Adams, and he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates 
now combined in a venomous and persistent as- 
sault upon Mr. Adams. There is nothing more 
disgraceful in the past histon- of our country than 
the abuse which was poured in one uninterrupted 
stream upon this high-minded, upright and pa- 



triotic man. There never was an administration 
more pure in principles, more conscientiously de- 
voted to the best interests of the country-, than 
that of John Quincy Adams; and never, perhaps, 
was there an administration more un.scrupulously 
and outrageously assailed. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by An- 
drew Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected 
Vice-President. The slavery question now be- 
gan to assume portentous magnitude. Mr. Adams 
returned to Quincy and to his studies, which he 
pursued with unabated zeal. But he was not 
long permitted to remain in retirement. In No- 
vember, 1830, he was elected Representative in 
Congress. For seventeen j-ears, or luitil his death, 
he occupied the post as Representative, towering 
above all his peers, ever ready to do brave battle 
for freedom, and winning the title of "the Old 
Man Eloquent." Upon taking his seat in the 
House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no part3\ Probably there never 
was a member more dev^oted to his duties. He 
was usually the first in his place in the morning, 
and the last to leave his seat in the evening. 
Not a measure could be brought forward and es- 
cape his scrutiny. The battle which Mr. Adams 
fought, almost singly, against the pro-slavery 
party in the Government was sublime in its 
moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery', 
he was threatened with indictment by the grand 
jury, with expulsion from the House, with assas- 
sination; but no threats could intimidate him, and 
his final triumph was complete. 

On the 2ist of Februarj-, 1848, he rose on the 
floor of Congress with a paper in his hand, to 
address the speaker. Suddenh^ he fell, again 
stricken by parah-sis, and was caught in the arms 
of those around him. For a time he was sense- 
less, as he was con\-eyed to the sofa in the ro- 
tunda. With reviving consciousness, he opened 
his eyes, looked calmly around and said "This 
is the end of earth;" then after a moment's pause 
he added, " I am content." These were the last 
words of the grand ' ' Old Man Eloquent. ' ' 



iil&. 




ANDREW JACKSON. 



61 XDRHW JACKSON, the seventh President 
r I of the United vStates, was born in Waxhaw 
/I settlement, N. C, March 15, 1767, a few 
da>s after his father's death. His parents were 
poor emigrants from Ireland, and took up their 
abode in Waxhaw settlement, where they lived 
in deepest poverty. 

Andrew, or Andy, as he was universally called, 
grew up a very rough, rude, turbulent boy. His 
features were coarse, his form ungainly, and there 
was but verj- little in his character made visible 
which was attractive. 

When only thirteen j-ears old he joined the 
volunteers of Carolina against the British invasion. 
In 1781, he and his brother Robert were captured 
and imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British 
officer ordered him to brush his mud-spattered 
boots. "lam a prisoner of war, not your serv- 
ant," was the reply of the dauntless boy. 

Andrew .supportedhimself in various w'ays, such 
as working at the saddler's trade, teaching school, 
and clerking in a general store, until 1784, when 
he entered a law office at Sali.sburj-, N. C. He, 
however, gave more attention to the wild amuse- 
ments of the times than to his studies. In 1788, 
he was appointed solicitor for the Western District 
of North Carolina, of which Tennes.see was then 
a part. This involved many long journeys amid 
dangers of every kind, but Andrew Jack.son never 
knew fear, and the Indians had no desire to re- 
peat a skirmish with "Sharp Knife." 

In 1 79 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman 
who supposed herself divorced from her former 
husband. Great was the surprise of both parties, 
two years later, to find that the conditions of the 
divorce had just lx?en definitely settled by the 
first husband. The marriage ceremony was per- 
formed a second time, but the occurrence was 
often used by his enemies to bring Mr. Jackson 
into disfavor. 



In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee 
then containing nearly eighty thousand inhabi- 
tants, the people met in convention at Knoxville 
to frame a constitution. Five were sent from 
each of the eleven counties. Andrew Jackson 
was one of the delegates. The new State was 
entitled to but one member in the National House 
of Representatives. Andrew Jackson was chosen 
that member. Mounting his horse, he rode to 
Philadelphia, where Congress then held its ses- 
sions, a distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Demo- 
cratic party, and Jefferson was his idol. He ad- 
mired Bonaparte, loved France, and hated Eng- 
land. As Mr. Jackson took his seat, Gen. Wash- 
ington, whose second term of office was then 
expiring, delivered his last speech to Congress. 
A committee drew up a complimentary- address in 
reply. Andrew Jackson did not appro\'e of the 
address, and was one of the twel\-e who voted 
against it. He was not willing to say that Gen. 
Wa.shington's administration had been "wise, 
firm and patriotic. ' ' 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned 
home. Soon after he was chosen Judge of the 
Supreme Court of his State, which position he 
held for six years. 

When the War of 18 12 with Great Britain com- 
menced, Madison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron Burr .sent word to the President that there 
was an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jack- 
son, who would do credit to a commission if one 
were conferred upon him. Just at that time Gen. 
Jackson offered his services and those of twenty- 
five hundred volunteers. His offer was accepted, 
and the troops were as.sembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make 
an attack upon New Orleans, where Gen. Wil- 
kinson was in command, he was ordered to de- 



44 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



scend the river with fifteen hundred troops to aid 
Wilkinson. The expedition reached Natchez, 
and after a delay of several weeks there without 
accomplishing anything, the men were ordered 
back to their homes. But the energy Gen. Jack- 
son had displayed, and his entire devotion to the 
comfort of his soldiers, won for him golden opin- 
ions, and he became the most popular man in the 
State. It was in this expedition that his tough- 
ness gave him the nickname of "Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, while attempting to horsewhip 
Col. Thomas Benton for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking part as second in a duel 
in which a younger brother of Benton's was en- 
gaged, he received two severe pistol wounds. 
While he was lingering upon a bed of suffering, 
news came that the Indians, who had combined 
under Tecumseh from Florida to the L,akes to ex- 
terminate the white settlers, were committing the 
most awful ravages. Decisive action became nec- 
essary. Gen. Jackson, with his fractured bone 
just beginning to heal, his arm in a sling, and 
unable to mount his horse without assistance, 
gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, Ala. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong 
fort on one of the bends of the Tallapoosa River, 
near the center of Alabama, about fifty miles be- 
low Ft. Strother. With an army of two thousand 
men, Gen. Jack.son traversed the pathless wilder- 
ness in a march of eleven da3's. He reached their 
fort, called Tohopeka or Horse-shoe, on the 27th 
of March, 1814. The bend of the river enclosed 
nearly one hundred acres of tangled forest and 
wild ravine. Across the narrow neck the Indians 
had constructed a formidable breastwork of logs 
and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, with 
an ample supply of arms, were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly 
desperate. Not an Indian would accept quarter. 
When bleeding and dying, they would fight those 
who endeavored to spare their lives. From ten 
in the morning until dark the battle raged. The 
carnage was awful and revolting. Some threw 
themselves into the river; but the unerring bul- 
lets struck their heads as they swam. Nearly 
every one of the nine hundred warriors was 



killed. A few, probably, in the night swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. 

This closing of the Creek War enabled us to 
concentrate all our militia upon the British, who 
were the allies of the Indians. No man of less 
resolute will than Gen. Jackson could have con- 
ducted this Indian campaign to so successful an 
issue. Immediately he was appointed Major- 
General. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men on a rushing march, Gen. Jackson went to 
Mobile. A British fleet went from Pensacola, 
landed a force upon the beach, anchored near the 
little fort, and from both ship and shore com- 
menced a furious assault. The battle was long 
and doubtful. At length one of the ships was 
blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his 
little army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
and the battle of New Orleans, which soon ensued, 
was in realit)' a very arduous campaign. This 
won for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. 
Here his troops, which numbered about four 
thousand men, won a signal victory over the 
British army of about nine thousand. His loss 
was but thirteen, while the loss of the British was 
twenty-six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be 
mentioned in connection with the Presidency, 
but in 1824 he was defeated by Mr. Adams. 
He was, however, successful in the election of 
1828, and was re-elected for a second term in 
1832. In 1829, just before he assumed the reins 
of government, he met with the most terrible 
affliction of his life in the death of his wife, whom 
he had loved with a devotion which has perhaps 
never been surpassed. From the shock of her 
death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of the most mem- 
orable in the annals of our country — applauded 
by one party, condemned by the other. No man 
had more bitter enemies or warmer friends. At 
the expiration of his two terms of office he retired 
to the Hermitage, where he died June 8, 1845. The 
last years of Mr. Jackson's life were those of a de- 
voted Christian man. 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



yyiARTlN VAN BUREN, the eighth Presi- 
y deut of the United States, was boru at Kin- 
derhook, N. Y., December 5, 1782. He 
died at the same place, July 24, 1862. His body 
rests iu the cenieterj' at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite shaft, fii'teen feet high, bearing a 
simple inscription about half-way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered or unbounded 
by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in the life of Martin Van 
Buren of romantic interest. He fought no battles, 
engaged in no wild adventures. Though his life 
was stormy in political and intellectual conflicts, 
and he gained many signal victories, his days 
pa.ssed uneventful in those incidents which give 
zest to biography. His ancestors, as his name indi- 
cates, were of Dutch origin, and were among the 
earliest emigrants from Holland to the banks of 
the Hudson. His father was a farmer, residing 
in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, also 
of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and exemplary piety. 

He was decidedly a precocious boy, developing 
mui.sual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At 
the age of fourteen, he had finished his academic 
studies in his native village, and commenced the 
study of law. As he had not a collegiate educa- 
tion, seven years of study in a law-office were re- 
quired of him before he could be admitted to the 
Bar. Inspired with a lofty ambition, and con- 
scious of his powers, he pursued his studies with 
indefatigable industry. After spending six years 
in an office in his native village, he went to the city 
of New York, and prosecuted his studies for the 
seventh year. 

Iu 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years 



of age, commenced the practice of law in his na- 
tive village. The great conflict between the Federal 
and Republican parties was then at its height. 
Mr. Van Buren was from the beginning a politi- 
cian. He had, perhaps, imbibed that .spirit while 
listening to the many discussions which had been 
carried on in his father' s hotel. He was in cordial 
sympathy with Jefferson, and earnestly and elo- 
quently espoused the cause of State Rights, though 
at that time the Federal party held the supremacy 
both in his town and State. 

His success and increasing reputation led him 
after six years of practice to remove to Hudson, 
the county seat of his county. Here he .spent 
seven years, constantly gaining strength by con- 
tending in the courts with some of the ablest men 
who have adorned the Bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mr. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomplishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, a victim of con- 
sumption, leaving her husband and four sons to 
weep over her lo.ss. For twenty-five years, Mr. 
Van Buren was an earnest, successful, assiduous 
lawyer. The record of those years is barren in 
items of public interest. In 1812, when thirty 
years of age, he was cho.sen to the State Senate, 
and gave his strenuous support to Mr. Madison's 
administration. In 181 5, he was appointed At- 
torney-General, and the next year moved to Al- 
bany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
prominent leaders of the Democratic party, he had 
the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that "universal sun"rage' ' which admits 
the vile, the degraded, the ignorant, to the right 



48 



MARTIN VAN BUREN. 



of governing the State. In true consistency with 
his democratic principles, he contended that, while 
the path leading to the privilege of voting should 
be open to every man without distinction, no one 
should be invested with that sacred prerogative 
unless he were in some degree qualified for it by 
intelligence, virtue, and some property interests in 
the welfare of the State. 

In 1 82 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate, and in the same year he took a 
seat in the convention to revise the Constitution of 
his native State. His course in this convention 
secured the approval of men of all parties. No 
one could doubt the singleness of his endeavors to 
promote the interests of all classes in the com- 
munity. In the Senate of the United States, he 
rose at once to a conspicuous position as an active 
and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected 
to the Senate. He had been from the beginning 
a determined opposer of the administration, adopt- 
ing the "State Rights" view in opposition to what 
was deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, hewas chosen Governor 
of the State of New York, and accordingly resigned 
his seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the 
United States contributed so much towards eject- 
ing John Q. Adams from the Presidential chair, 
and placing in it Andrew Jackson, as did Martin 
Van Buren. Whether entitled to the reputation 
or not, he certainly was regarded throughout the 
United States as one of the most skillful, .sagacious 
and cunning of politicians. It was supposed that 
no one knew so well as he how to touch the secret 
springs of action, how to pull all the wires to 
put his machinery in motion, and how to organize 
a political army which would secretly and .stealth- 
ily accomplish the most gigantic results. By these 
powers it is said that he outwitted Mr. Adams, Mr. 
Clay, and Mr. Web.ster, and secured results which 
:ew then thought could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President 
he appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. 
This position he resigned in 1831, and was im- 
mediately appointed Minister to England, where 
he went the same autumn. The Senate, however. 



when it met, refused' to ratify the nomination, and 
he returned home, apparently untroubled. Later 
he was nominated Vice-President in the place of 
Calhoun, at the re-election of President Jackson, 
and with smiles for all and frowns for none, he 
took his place at the head of that Senate which had 
refused to confirm his nomination as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal 
of President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated 
favorite; and this, probably, more than any other 
cause secured his elevation to the chair of the 
Chief Executive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. 
Van Buren received the Democratic nomination 
to succeed Gen. Jackson as President of the United 
States. He was elected by a handsome majority, 
to the delight of the retiring President. ' 'Leaving 
New York out of the canvass," says Mr. Parton, 
"the election of Mr. Van Buren to the Presidency 
was as much the act of Gen. Jackson as though 
the Constitution had conferred upon him the power 
to appoint a successor." 

His administration was filled wn'th exciting 
events. The insurrection in Canada, which 
threatened to involve this country in war with 
England, the agitation of the slavery question, 
and finally the great commercial panic which 
.spread over the country, all were trials of his wis- 
dom. The financial distress was attributed to 
the management of the Democratic party, and 
brought the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election, and on the 4th of March, 
1 84 1, he retired from the presidency. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the ' 'Free Soil' ' Democrats in 1848, 
Mr. Van Buren lived quietly upon his estate until 
his death. He had ever been a prudent man, of 
frugal habits, and, living within his income, had 
now fortunately a competence for his declining 
years. From his fine estate at Lindenwald, he 
still exerted a powerful influence upon the politics 
of the country. From this time until his death, 
on the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty 
years, he resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of 
leisure, of culture and wealth, enjoying in a 
healthy old age probably far more happiness than 
he had before' experienced amid the stormy scenes 
of his active life. 




^ ^;fe/^^^^^--^ 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



jIIXIAM HENRY HARRIvSON, the ninth 
I'ljsidcnt of the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va. , February 9, 1773. His 
fatlier, Benjamin Harrison, was in coniparativelj' 
opulent circumstances, and was one of the most 
distinguished men of his day. He was an inti- 
mate friend of George Wa.shington, was early 
elected a member of the Continental Congress, 
and was conspicuous among the patriots of Vir- 
ginia in resisting the encroachments of the Briti.sh 
crown. In the celebrated Congress of 1775, Ben- 
jamin Harrison and John Hancock were both 
candi'' tes for the office of Speaker. 

Mr. Harri.son was subseijuentlj^ chosen Gov- 
ernor of Virginia, and was twice re-elected. His 
son William Henry, of course, enjoyed in child- 
hood all the advantages which wealth and intel- 
lectual and cultivated societj' could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough common-school educa- 
tion, he entered Hampden Sidney College, where 
he graduated with honor soon after the death of 
his father. He then repaired to Philadelphia to 
study medicine inider the instructions of Dr. Rush 
and the guardianship of Robert Morris, both of 
whom were, with his father, signers of the Dec- 
laration of Independence. 

Upon the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and 
notwithstanding the remonstrances of his friends, 
he abantloned his medical studies and entered the 
army, having obtained a commission as Ensign 
from President Wa.shington. He was then but 
nineteen years old. From that time he passed 
gradually upward in rank until he became aide 
t(j Gen. Wayne, after whose death he re,signed 
his comini.s.sion. He was then appointed Secre- 
tary of tlie Northwestern Territory. This Terri- 
tory was then entitled to but one nieniber in Con- 



gress, and Harrison was chosen to fill that position. 
In the spring of 1800 the Northwestern Terri- 
tory was divided by Congress into two portions. 
The eastern portion, comprising the region now 
embraced in the vState of Ohio, was called "The 
Territory northwest of the Ohio." The western 
portion, which included what is now called Indi- 
ana, Illinois and W^isconsin, was called "the Indi- 
ana Territory." William Henry Harrison, then 
twenty-seven years of age, was appointed by John 
Adams Governor of the Indiana Territory, and 
iuuneiliately after also Governor of Upper Loui- 
siana. He was thus ruler over almost as exten- 
sive a realm as any sovereign upon the globe. 
He was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and 
was invested with powers nearly dictatorial over 
the then rapidly increasing white population. The 
ability and fidelity with which he discharged 
the.se respon.sible duties may be inferred from the 
fact that he was four times aiipointed to this 
office — first by John Adams, twice by Thomas 
Jefferson, and afterwards by President Madison. 

When he began his administration there were 
but three white settlements in that almost bound- 
less region, now crowded with cities and resound- 
ing with all the tumult of wealth and traffic. 
One of these settlements was on the Ohio, nearly 
opposite Louisville; one at Vincennes, on the 
Wabash; and the third was a I'Vench settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrison 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. 
About the year 1806, two extraordinary men, 
twin brothers of the Shawnee tribe, rose among 
them. One of these was called Tccuniseh, or 
"the Crouching Panther;" the other Olliwa- 
checa, or "the Prophet." Tecumseh was not 
only an Indian warrior, but a man of great sagac- 



52 



WILUAM HENRY HARRISON. 



ity, far- reaching foresight and indomitable perse- 
verance ill any enterprise in which he might en- 
gage. His brother, the Prophet, was an orator, 
who could sway the feelings of the untutored In- 
dians as the gale to.ssed the tree-tops beneath 
which they dwelt. With an enthusiasm unsur- 
passed by Peter the Hermit rousing Europe to the 
crusades, he went from tribe to tribe, assuming 
that he was specially sent by the Great Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to con- 
ciliate the Indians, but at last war came, and at 
Tippecanoe the Indians were routed with great 
slaughter. October 28, 18 12, his army began its 
march. When near the Prophet's town, three 
Indians of rank made their appearance and in- 
quired why Gov. Harrison was approaching them 
in so ho.stile an attitude. After a short confer- 
ence, arrangements were made for a meeting the 
next day to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted 
with the Indian character to be deceived by such 
protestations. Selecting a favorable spot for his 
night's encampment, he took every precaution 
against surprise. His troops were posted in a 
hollow square and slept upon their arms. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock 
in the morning, had risen, and was sitting 
in conversation with his aides by the embers 
of a waning lire. It was a chill, cloudy morning, 
with a drizzling rain. In the darkness, the In- 
iliaiis had crept as near as possible, and just then, 
with a savage j-ell, rushed, with all the despera- 
tion which superstition and passion most highly 
inflamed could give, upon the left flank of the 
little army. The savages had been amply pro- 
vided with guns and ammunition by the English, 
and their war-whoop was accompanied by a 
shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as 
the light aided the Indians in their aim, and 
Gen. Harrison's troops stood as immovable as 
the rocks around them until day dawned, when 
they made a simultaneous charge with the bayo- 
net and swept everything before them, completely 
routing the foe. 

Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utnio.st, The British, descending from the 



Canadas, were of themselves a very formidable 
force, but with their savage allies rushing like 
wolves from the forest, burning, plundering, scalp- 
ing, torturing, the wide frontier was plunged into 
a state of consternation which even the most vivid 
imagination can but faintly conceive. Gen. Hull 
had made an ignominious surrender of his forces at 
Detroit. Under the.se despairing circumstances. 
Gov. Harrison was appointed by President Madi- 
son Commander-in-Chief of the Northwestern 
Army, with orders to retake Detroit and to protect 
the frontiers. It would be difficult to place a man 
in a situation demanding more energ3% sagacity 
and courage, but he was found equal to tlie 
position, and nobly and triumphantly did he meet 
all the responsibilities. 

In 1 8 16, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member 
of the National House of Representatives, to rep- 
re.sent the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved 
an active member, and whene\'er he spoke it was 
with a force of reason and power of eloquence 
which arrested the attention of all the memlj jrs. 

In 18 ig, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio, and in 1824, as one of the Presidential Elec- 
tors of that State, he gave his vote for Ilenry 
Clay. The same year he was chosen to the Uni- 
ted States Senate. In 1836 his friends brought 
him forward as a candidate for the Presidency 
against Van Buren, but he was defeated. At the 
close of Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nom- 
inated by his party, and Mr. Harrison was unani- 
mously nominated by the Whigs, with John Tyler 
for the Vice-Prcsidenc}'. The contest was very 
animated. Gen. Jackson gave all his influence to 
prevent Harrison's election, but his triumph was 
signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Web- 
ster at its head as Secretary of State, was one of 
the most brilliant with which any President had 
ever been surrounded. Never were the prospects 
of an administration more flattering, or the hopes 
of the country more sanguine. In the midst of 
these bright and joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison 
was seized by a pleurisy-fever, and after a few 
days of violent sickness died, on the 4tli of April, 
just one month after his inauguration as President 
of the United States. 





Z/r6 




JOHN TYLER. 



30HN TYL1-;R, the tenth President of the 
I'nited Slates, and was born in Charles 
City County, \'a., March 29, 1790. He was 
the favored child of affluence aud high social po- 
sition. At the early age of twelve, John entered 
William and Mary College, and graduated with 
nuich honor when but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted himself with great assi- 
duity- to the study of law, partly with his father 
aud partly with Edmund Randolph, one of the 
most distinguished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, he commenced the 
practice of law. His success was rapid and as- 
toni.shing. It is said that three months had not 
elapsed ere there was scarcely a case on the 
docket of the court in which he was not retained. 
When hut twentj-one years of age, he was almost 
unanimously elected to a seat in the State Legis- 
lature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic parly, and warmly advocated the measures 
of Jefferson and Madison. For five successive 
years he was elected to the Legislature, receiving 
nearl\- the unanimous vote of his county. 

When but twenty-six j^ears of age, he was 
elected a Member of Congress. Here he acted ear- 
nestly andabl)- with the Democratic party, oppos- 
ing a national bank, internal improvements by 
the General Government, and a protective tariff; 
advocating a strict construction of the Constitu- 
tion and the most careful vigilance over State 
rights. His labors in Congress were so arduous 
that tx;fore the close of his .second term he found 
it necessary to resign and retire to his estate in 
Charles City County to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in 
the State Legislature, where his influence was 
powerful in promoting public works of great 
utility. With a reputation thus constantly in- 
creasing, he was clio.'^cn l)y a very large majority 
of votes Governor of his native State. His ad- 
miuistralion was a signally successful one, and his 
popularity secured his re-election. 



John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of 
the United States. A portion of the Democratic 
party was displeased with Mr. Randolph's way- 
ward cour.se, and brought forward John Tyler as 
his opponent, considering him the only man in 
\'irginia of sufficient popularity to succeed 
against the renowned orator of Roanoke. Mr. 
Tyler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon tak- 
ing his seat in the Senate he joined the ranks of 
the opposition. He opposed the tariff, and spoke 
against and voted against the bank as unconsti- 
tutional; he strenuously opposed all restrictions 
upon slavery, resisting all projects of internal im- 
provements by the General Government, and 
avowed his sympathy with Mr. Calhoun's view 
of nullification; he declared that Gen. Jackson, 
by his opposition to the nullifiers, had abandoned 
the principles of the Democratic partj-. Such 
was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress— a record in 
perfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice 
of his profession. There was a split in the Demo- 
cratic [larty. His friends still regarded him as a 
true Jeffersonian, gave him a dinner, and show- 
ered compliments upon him. He had now at- 
tained the age of forty-six, and his career had been 
very brilliant. In consequence of his devotion to 
public business, his private affairs had fallen into 
.some disorder, and it was not without satisfac- 
tion that he resumed the practice of law, and de- 
voted himself to the cultivation of his plantation. 
Soon after this he removed to Williamsburg, for 
the better education of his children, and he again 
took his seat in the Legislature of Virginia. 

By the southern Whigs he was sent to the 
national convention at Ilarrisburg in 1839 to nom- 
inate a President. The majority of votes were 
given to Gen Harrison, a genuine Whig, much 
to the disappointment of the South, which wished 



56 



JOHN TYLER. 



for Henry Clay. To conciliate the southern 
Whigs and to secure their vote, the convention 
then nominated John Tyler for Vice-President. 
It was well known that he was not in sympathy 
with the Whig party in the North; but the Vice- 
President has very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to 
preside over the meetings.of the Senate. Thus it 
happened that a Whig President and, in reality, 
a Democratic Vice-President were chosen. 

In 1S41, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice- 
President of the United States. In one short 
month from that time. President Harrison died, 
and Mr. Tyler thus found himself, to his own 
surprise and that of the whole nation, an occu- 
pant of the Presidential chair. Hastening from 
Williamsburg to Washington, on the 6th of 
April he was inaugurated to the high and re- 
sponsible office. He was placed in a position of 
exceeding delicacy and difficulty. All his long 
life he had been opposed to the main principles of 
the party which had brought him into power. 
He had ever been a consistent, honest man, with 
an unblemished record. Gen. Harrison had se- 
lected a Whig cabinet. Should he retain them, 
and thus surround himself with counselors whose 
views were antagonistic to his own ? or, on the 
other hand, should he turn against the party 
which had elected him, and select a cabinet in 
harmony with himself, and which would oppose 
all those views which the Whigs deemed essen- 
tial to the public welfare ? This was his fearful 
dilemma. He invited the cabinet which Presi- 
dent Harrison had selected to retain their seats, 
and recommended a day of fasting and prayer, 
that God would guide and bless us. 

The Whigs carried through Congress a bill for 
the incorporation of a fiscal bank of the United 
States. The President, after ten days' delay, re- 
turned it with his veto. He suggested, however, 
that he would approve of a bill drawn up upon 
such a plan as he proposed. Such a bill was ac- 
cordingly prepared, and privately submitted to 
liim. He gave it his approval. It was passed 
without alteration, and he sent it back with his 
veto. Here commenced the open rupture. It is 
said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 



ure by a published letter from the Hon. Jolm M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who se- 
verely touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the 
President into their arms. The party which 
elected him denounced him bitterly. All the 
members of his cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, 
resigned. The Whigs of Congress, both the 
Senate and the House, held a meeting and issued 
an address to the people of the United States, 
proclaiming that all political alliance between the 
Whigs and President Tyler was at an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs 
and Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong 
party men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary 
to resign, forced out by the pressure of his Whig 
friends. Thus tlie four years of Mr. Tyler's un- 
fortunate administrati.jn pa.ssed sadly away. No 
one was satisfied. The land was filled with mur- 
murs and vituperation. Whigs and Democrats 
alike assailed him. More and more, however, he 
brought himself into sympathy with his old 
friends, the Democrats, until at the close of his 
term he gave his whole influence to the support 
of Mr. Polk, the Democratic candidate for his 
successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, President Tyler re- 
tired from the harassments of office, to the regret 
of neither party, and probably to his own unspeak- 
able relief The remainder of his days were 
passed mainly in the retirement of his beautiful 
home — Sherwood Forest, Charles City County, 
Va. His first wife. Miss Letitia Christian, died 
in Washington in 1842; and in June, 1844, 
he was again married, at New York, to Mi.ss Julia 
Gardiner, a young lady of many personal and 
intellectual accomplishments. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the 
State Rights and nullifying doctrines of John C. 
Calhoun had inaugurated. President Tyler re- 
nounced his allegiance to the United States, and 
joined the Confederates. He was chosen a mem- 
ber of their Congress, and while engaged in 
active measures to destro\', by force of arms, the 
Government over which he had once presided, he 
was taken sick and soon died. 



't ' < iSl 




JAMES K. POLK. 



(Tames K. polk, the eleventh President of 
I the United States, was born in Mecklenburgh 
C2/ County, N. C, November 2, 1795. His 
parents were Samuel and Jane (Knox) Polk, the 
fonncr a son of Col. Thomas Polk, who located 
at the above place, as one of the first pioneers, in 
1735. In 1S06, with his wife and children, and 
soon after followed bj- most of the members of the 
Polk family, Samuel Polk emigrated some two or 
three hundred miles farther west, to the rich val- 
ley of the Duck River. Here, in the midst of the 
wilderness, in a region which was sub.sequently 
called Maurj- County, they erected their log huts 
and established their homes. In the hard toil of 
a new fann in the wildcrne.ss, James K. Polk 
.spent the early years of his childhood and youth. 
Ilis father, adding the pursuit of a surveyor to 
that of a farmer, gradually increa.sed in wealth, 
until he became one of the leading men of the 
region. His mother was a superior woman, of 
strong common sen.se and earnest piety. 

Very early in life James developed a taste for 
reading, and expressed the strongest desire to ob- 
tain a liberal education. His mother's training 
had made him methodical in his habits, had taught 
him punctualitj- and indu.stry, and had inspired 
him with lofty principles of morality. His health 
was frail, and his father, fearing that he might not 
be able to endure a sedentary life, got a situation 
for him behind the counter, hoping to fit him for 
commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disappointment. He 
had no ta.ste for these ciuiies, and nis daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occujiation but a few weeks, when, 
at his earnest solicitation, his father removed 
him and made arrangements for him to pros- 
ecute his studies. Soon after he sent liim to Mur- 
free.sboro Academy. With ardor which could 
scarcely be surpassed, he pressed forward in his 



studies, and in less than two and a-half years, in 
the autumn of 18 15, entered the .soj)homore class 
in the University of North Carolina, at Chapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allow- 
ing liinLself to be absent from a recitation or a 
religious service. 

Mr. Polk graduated in 1818, with the highest 
honors, being deemed the be.st .scholar of his class, 
both in mathematics and the classics. He was 
then twenty-three years of age. His health was 
at this time much impaired by the assiduity with 
which he had prosecuted his studies. After a 
short season of relaxation, he went to Nashville, 
and entered the office of Felix Grundy, to study 
law. Here Mr. Polk renewed his acquaintance 
with Andrew Jackson, who resided on his planta- 
tion, the "Hermitage," but a few miles from 
Nash\-ille. They had probably been slightlj- ac- 
quainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a Jeffersonian Republican 
and James K. adhered to the same political faith. 
He was a popular public speaker, and was con- 
stantly called upon to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such 
that he was popularly called the Napoleon of the 
.stump. He was a man of unblemished morals, 
genial and courteous in his bearing, and with that 
sympathetic nature in the joys and griefs of oth- 
ers which gave him hosts of friends. In 1823, 
he was elected to the Legislature of Teimessee, 
and gave his .strong influence toward the election 
of his friend, Mr. Jack.son, to the Presidency of 
the United States. 

In Januarj-, 1824, Mr. Polk married Mi.ss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford County, Tenn. His 
bride was altogether worthy of him — a lady of 
beauty and culture. In the fall of 1825 Mr. Polk 
was chosen a member of Congress, and the .satis- 
faction he gave his constituents may be inferred 



6o 



JAMES K. POLK. 



from the fact, that for fourteen successive years, 
or until 1839, he was continued in that office. He 
then voluntarily withdrew, only that he might 
accept the Gubernatorial chair of Tennessee. In 
Congress he was a laborious member, a frequent 
and a popular speaker. He was always in his 
scat, always courteous, and whenever he spoke 
it was always to the point, without any ambitious 
rhetorical di.splay. 

During five sessions of Congress Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong paissions were 
roused and stormy scenes were witnessed, but he 
performed his arduous duties to a very general 
satisfaction, and' a unanimous vote of thanks to 
him was passed bj' the House as he withdrew on 
the 4th of March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, 
as a candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. 
He was elected by a large majority, and on Octo- 
ber 14, 1839, took the oath of office at Nashville. 
In 1841 his term of office expired, and he was 
again the candidate of the Democratic party, but 
was defeated. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, Mr. Polk was in- 
augurated President of the United States. The 
verdict of the country in favor of the annexation 
of Texas exerted its influence upon Congress, 
and the last act of the admini.stration of President 
Tyler was to affix his signature to a joint resolu- 
tion of Congress, passed on the 3d of March, ap- 
proving of the annexation of Texas to the Union. 
As Mexico still claimed Texas as one of her 
provinces, the Mexican Mini.ster, Almonte, im- 
mediately demanded his passports and left the 
country, declai'ing the act of the annexation to be 
an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message. President Polk urged that 
Texas .should immediately, by act of Congress, be 
received into the Union on the same footing with 
the other States. In the mean time, Gen. Taylor 
was sent with an army into Texas to hold the 
country. He was first sent to Nueces, which the 
Mexicans said was the western boundary of Tex- 
as. Then he was sent nearly two hundred miles 
further west, to the Rio Grande, where he erected 
batteries which commanded the Mexican city of 
Matamoras, which was situated on the western 



banks. The anticipated collision soon took place, 
and war was declared again.st Mexico by President 
Polk. The war was pushed forward by his ad- 
ministration with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, 
whose army was first called one of ' ' obsen^ation, ' ' 
then of "occupation," then of "invasion," was 
sent forward to Monterey. The feeble Mexicans 
in everj' encounter were hopelessly slaughtered. 
The day of judgment alone can reveal the mi.sery 
which this war caused. It was by the ingenuitj' 
of Mr. Polk's administration that the war was 
brought on. 

"To the victors belong the spoils." Mexico 
was prostrate before us. Her capital was in our 
hands. We now consented to peace upon the 
condition that Mexico should surrender to us, in 
addition to Texas, all of New Mexico, and all of 
Upper and Lower California. This new demand 
embraced, exclusive of Texas, eight hundred 
thousand square miles. This was an extent of 
territory equal to nine vStates of the size of New 
York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen ma- 
jestic States to be added to the Union. There 
were some Americans who thought it all right; 
there were others who thought it all wrong. In 
the prosecution of this war we expended twenty 
thousand lives and more than $100,000,000. Of 
this money $15,000,000 were paid to Mexico. 

On the 3d of March, 1849, Mr. Polk retired 
from office, having .served one term. The next 
day was Sundaj\ On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was 
inaugurated as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to 
the Capitol in the same carriage with Gen. Tay- 
lor, and the same evening, with Mrs. Polk, he 
commenced his return to Tennessee. He was 
then but fifty-four years of age. He had always 
been strictly temperate in all his habits, and his 
health was good. With an ample fortune, a 
choice librarj', a cultivated mind, and domestic 
ties of the dearest nature, it seemed as though 
long years of tranquillity and happiness were be- 
fore him. But the cholera — that fearful scourge 
— was then sweeping up the Valley of the Missis- 
sippi, and he contracted the di.sea.se, dying on the 
15th of June, 1849, in the fifty-fourth year of his 
age, greatly mourned by his countrj'men. 




'T/^t^c/^c^i^^-ry^/^ycoy^ 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



G7ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth President of 
j. the United States, was born on the 24th of 
/t) November, 17S4, in Orange County, Va. 
His father, Col. Taylor, was a Virginian of 
note, and a distinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zaehary was an infant, 
his father, with his wife and two children, emi- 
grated to Kentucky, where he settled in the path- 
le.ss wilderness, a few miles from Louisville. In 
this frontier home, away from civilization and all 
its refinements, young Zaehary could enjoy but 
few .social and educational advantages. When 
six years of age he attended a common school, 
and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and deci.sion of 
character. He was .strong, fearless and self-reli- 
ant, and manifested a strong desire to enter the 
army to fight the Indians, who were ravaging the 
frontiers. There is little to be recorded of the 
uneventful years of his childhood on his father's 
large but lonely plantation. 

In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for 
him a commission as Lieutenant in the United 
States army, and he joined the troops which were 
stationed at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. 
Soon after this he married Miss Margaret Smith, 
a young lady from one of the first families of 
Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with 
England, in 181 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then 
been promoted to that rank; was put in command 
of Ft. Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles 
above Vincennes. This fort had been built in the 
wilderness by Gen. Harri.son, on his march X.o 
Tipp>ecanoe. It was one of the first points of at- 
tack bj- the Indians, led by Tecumseh. Its garri- 
son consisted of a broken company of infantry, 
numbering fifty men, many of whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 181 2, the Indians, 
stealthily, and in large numbers, moved upon the 



fort. Their approach was first indicated by the 
nuirder of two .soldiers just out.side of the stockade. 
Capt. Taylor made every possible preparation to 
meet the anticipated assault. On the 4th of Sep- 
tember, a band of forty painted and plumed sav- 
ages cf.me to the fort, waving a white flag, and 
informed Capt. Taylor that in the morning their 
chief would come to have a talk with him. It 
was e\ident that their object was merely to ascer- 
tain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, 
kept them at a distance. 

The .sun went down; the savages disappeared; 
the garrison slept upon their arms. One hour 
before midnight the war-whoop burst from a 
thousand lips in the forest around, followed by 
the discharge of musketry and the rush of the 
foe. Every man, sick and well, sprang to his 
post. Every man knew that defeat was not 
merely death, but, in the case of capture, death by 
the most agonizing and prolonged torture. No 
pen can describe, no imagination can conceive, the 
scenes which ensued. The savages succeeded in 
setting fire to one of the block-houses. Until six 
o'clock in the morning this awful conflict con- 
tinued, when the savages, baffled at every point 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. 
Capt. Taylor, for this gallant defense, was pro- 
moted to the rank of Major by brevet. 

Until the clo.se of the war, Maj. Taylor was 
placed in such situations that he saw but little 
more of active service. He was sent far away 
into the depths of the wilderness to Ft. Craw- 
ford, on Fox River, which empties into Green 
Bay. Here there was little to be done but to 
wear away the tedious hours as one best could. 
There were no books, no society, no intellectual 
stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful years 
rolled on. Gradually he rose to the rank of 
Colonel. In the Black Hawk War, which re- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR. 



suited in the capture of that renowned chieftain, 
Col. Taylor took a subordinate, but a bra\e and 
eftieient, part. 

Kor twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged 
in the defon.se of the frontiers, in scenes so re- 
mote, and in einpkn incnts so obscure, that his 
name was unknown beyond the liuiits of his own 
immediate acquaintance. In the year 1836, he 
was sent to Florida to compel the Seminole Indi- 
ans to vacate that region, and retire beyond the 
Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty had prom- 
ised they .should do. The .services rendered here 
.secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government, and as a rewnril he was ele- 
vated to the high rank of Brigadier-General by 
brevet, and soon after, in May, 1.S38, was ap- 
pointetl to the chief command of the United 
States troops in Florida. 

After two years of wearisome employment 
amidst the everglades of tlie Peninsula, Gen. Tay- 
lor obtained, at his own request, a change of 
connnand, and was stationed over the Department 
of the Southwest. This field embraced Louisiana, 
Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. Establishing 
his headquarters at Ft. Je.ssup, in Louisiana, he 
removed his family to a plantation which he pur- 
cha.setl near Baton Rouge. Here he remained 
for five years, burietl, as it were, from the world, 
but faithfully discharging everj- duty imposed 
upon him. 

In 1S46, Gen. Taylor was .sent to guard the 
land between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the 
latter river being the boundarj- of Texas, which 
was then claimed by the United States. Soon 
the war with Mexico was brought on, and at Palo 
Alto and Resaca de la Palma, Gen. Taylor won 
brilliant victories over the Mexicans. The rank 
of Major-General by brevet was then conferred 
upon Gen. Taylor, and his name was received 
with enthusiasm almost everAwhere in the na- 
tion. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena \"ista, in which he won signal victories 
over forces much larger than he counnanded. 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena 
\'ista spread the wildest enthusiasm over the 
country-. The name of Gen. Taylor was on 
everj- one's lips. The Whig party decided to 



take advantage of this wonderful popularity in 
bringing forward the unpolished, unlettered, hon- 
est soldier as their candidate for the Presidency. 
Gen. Taylor was astonished at the announce- 
ment, and for a time would not listen to it, de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such 
an office. So little interest had he taken in poli- 
tics, that for forty years he had not cast a vote. 
It was not without chagrin that several distiu- 
guislied statesmen, who had been long j^ears in 
the public service, found their claims set aside in 
behalf of one whose name had ne\-er been heard 
of, save in coiniection with Palo Alto, Resaca de 
la Palma, Monterey and Buena Vista. It is said 
that Daniel Webster, in his haste, remarked, " It 
is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloquent speaker nor a 
fine writer. His friends took possession of him, 
and prepared such few connnunications as it was 
needful should be presented to the public. The 
popularity of the successful warrior swept the 
land. He was triumphantly elected over two 
oppo.sing candidates, — Gen. Cass and Ex-Presi- 
dent Martin Van Buren. Though he .selected an 
excellent cabinet, the good old man found himself 
in a \-ery uncongenial position, and was at times 
sorely perplexed and harassed. His mental suf- 
ferings were verj- severe, and probably tended to 
hasten his death. The pro-slavery part>' was 
pushing its claims with tireless energy-; expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba; California 
was pleading for admi.ssion to the Union, while 
slaverj^ .stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. 
Taylor found the political conflicts in Washington 
to be far more trying to the ner\-es than battles 
with Mexicans or Indians. 

In the midst of all these troubles. Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but 
little over a year, took cold, and after a brief 
sickness of but little over five days, died, on the 
9th of July, 1850. His last words were, "I am 
not afraid to die. I am ready. I have endeav- 
ored to do my duty." He died universally re- 
spected and beloved. An honest, unpretending 
man, he had been steadily growing in the affec- 
tions of the people, and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 




^^- 

>■*>': 

,'j^^; 




>^^/- f -6 ' ^<!-^^-t f <jr? <-^ 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



y^ITXARD FILLMORE, thirteenth President | 
y of the United States, was born at Summer 
Ilill, Cayuga County, N. Y., on the 7th of 
January, 1800. His father was a farmer, and, owing I 
to misfortune, in humlile circum.stanccs. Of his j 
mother, the daughter of Ur. Abiathar Millard, of 
Pittsfield, Mass., it has been said that she pos- 
sessed an intellect of a high order, united with 
much personal loveliness, sweetness of disposi- 
tion, graceful manners and exquisite sensibilities. 
She died in 1831, having lived to see her son a 
\onng man of di.stinguished promise, though she 
was not permitted to witness the high dignity 
which he finally attained. 

In con.sefiuence of the secluded home and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender 
advantages for education in his early years. The 
common schools, which he occasionally attended, 
were very imperfect institutions, and books were 
scarce and expensive. There was nothing then 
in his character to indicate the brilliant career 
upon which he was about to enter. He was a 
]>lain farmer's boy — intelligent, good-looking, 
kind-hearted. The sacred influences of home 
hail taught him to revere the Bible, and had laid 
the foundations of an upriglit character. When 
fourteen years of age, his father .sent him some 
hundred miles from home to the then wilds of 
Living.ston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Xear the mill there was a small village, where 
some enterprising man had commenced the col- 
lection of a village library. This proved an in- 
estimable bks.sing to young Fillmore. His even- 
ings were .spent in reading. Soon ever}- leisure 
moment was occu])icd with books. His thirst for 
knowledge Ix.'came insatiate, and the selections 
which he made were continually more elevating 
and in.structive. He read history, biography, 
orator)-, and thus gradually there was enkindled 



in his heart a desire to be something more than a 
mere worker with his hands. 

The young clothier had now attained the age 
of nineteen years, and wa"s of fine personal appear- 
ance and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hap- 
pened that there was a gentleman in the neigh- 
borhood of ample pecuniary means and of benev- 
olence, — ^Judge Walter Wood, — who was struck 
with the prepossessing appearance of young Fill- 
more. He made his acquaintance, and was so 
much impressed with his ability and attainments 
that he advised him to abandon his trade and de- 
vote himself to the study of the law. The young 
man replied that he had no means of his own, 
no friends to help him, and that his previous edu- 
cation had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood 
had so much confidence in him that he kindly 
offered to take liim into his ow-n office, and to 
lend him such money as he needed. Most grate- 
fully the generous offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion 
about a collegiate education. A young man is 
supposed to be liberally educated if he has gradu- 
ated at some college. But many a boy who loi- 
ters through university halls and then enters a 
law office is by no means as well prepared to 
prosecute his legal studies as was Millard Fill- 
more when he graduated at the clothing-mill at 
the end of four years of manual labor, during 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to 
intense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three j'ears of age, he 
was admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. 
He then went to the village of Aurora, and com- 
menced the practice of law. In this secluded, 
quiet region, his practice, of course, was limited, 
and there was no opportunity for a sudden rise in 
fortune or in fame. Here, in 1826, he married a 
lady of great moral worth, and one capable of 



MILIvARD FILLMORE. 



adorning any station she might be called to fill, — 
Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advo- 
cate, gradually attracted attention, and he was 
invited to enter into partnership, under highly ad- 
vantageous circumstances, with an elder member 
of the Bar in Buffalo. Just before removing to 
Buffalo, in 1829, he took his seat in the House of 
Assembly of the State of New York, as a Repre- 
sentative from Erie County. Though he had 
never taken a very active part in politics, his vote 
and sympathies were with the VHiig party. The 
State was then Democratic, and he found himself 
in a helpless minority in the Legislature; still the 
testunony comes from all parties that his courtesy, 
ability and integrity won, to a very unusual de- 
gree, the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a 
seat in the United States Congress. He entered 
that troubled arena in the most tumultuous hours 
of our national historj', when the great conflict 
respecting the national bank and the removal of 
the deposits was raging. 

His term of two years closed, and he returned 
to his profession, which he pursued with increas- 
ing reputation and success. After a lapse of two 
years he again became a candidate for Congress; 
was re-elected, and took his seat in 1837. His 
past experience as a Representative gave him 
strength and confidence. The first term gf service 
in Congress to any man can be but little more 
than an introduction. He was now prepared for 
active duty. All his energies were brought to 
bear upon the puljlic good. Every measure re- 
ceived his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, 
and his popularity filled the State. In the year 
1847, when he had attained the age of forty- 
seven years, he was elected Comptroller of the 
State. His labors at the Bar, in the Legisla- 
ture, in Congress and as Comptroller, had given 
him very considerable fame. The Whigs were 
casting about to find suitable candidates for Presi- 
dent and Vice-President at the approaching elec- 
tion. Far away on the waters of the Rio Grande, 
there was a rough old soldier, who had fought 



one or two .successful battles with the Mexicans, 
which had caused his name to be proclaimed in 
trumpet-tones all over the land as a candidate for 
the presidency. But it was necessary to associate 
with him on the same ticket some man of repu- 
tation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
names of Zacharj' Taylor and Millard Fillmore 
became the rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their 
candidates for President and Vice-President. The 
Whig ticket was signally' triumphant. On the 
4th of March, 1849, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
President, and Millard Fillmore Vice-President, 
of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken .sick and died. By the 
Constitution, Vice-President P'illniore thus be- 
came President. He appointed a very able cabi- 
net, of which the illu.strious Daniel Webster was 
Secretary of vState; nevertheless, he had serious 
difficulties to contend with, since the opposition 
had a majority in both Houses. He did all in his 
power to conciliate the South; but the pro-slavery 
party in the South felt the inadequacy of all 
measures of transient conciliation. The popula- 
tion of the free States was so rapidly increasing 
over that of the slave States, that it was inevitable 
that the power of the Go\-ernment should soon 
pass into the hands of the free States. The fa- 
mous compromise measures were adopted under 
Mr. Fillmore's administration, and the Japan ex- 
pedition was sent out. On the 4th of March, 
1853, he, having served one term, retired. 

In 1S56, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Know-Nothing" party, but 
was beaten by Mr. Buchanan. After that Mr. 
Fillmore lived in retirement. During the terri- 
ble conflict of civil war, he was mostly .silent. It 
was generally supposed that his sympathies were 
rather with those who were endeavoring to over- 
throw our institutions. President Fillmore kept 
aloof from the conflict, without any cordial words 
of cheer to one party or the other. He was thus 
forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe old age, 
and died in Buffalo, N. Y., March 8, 1874. 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



["RANKLIN pierce, the fourteenth Presi- 
ry tkiil of the United States, was born in Hills- 
I ^ borough, N. H., November 23, 1804. His 
father was a Revohitionarj' soldier, who with his 
own strong arm hewed out a home in the wilder- 
ness. He was a man of inflexible integrity, of 
.strong, though uncultivated, mind, and was an un- 
compromising Democrat. The mother of Frank- 
lin Pierce was all that a son could desire — an in- 
telligent, prudent, affectionate, Christian woman. 

Franklin, who was the sixth of eight children, 
was a remarkably bright and handsome boy, 
generous, warm-hearted and brave. He won 
.alike the love of old and young. The boj-s on 
thL- play-ground loved him. His teachers loved 
liim. The neighbors looked upon him with pride 
and affection. He was by instinct a gentleman, 
always speaking kind words, and doing kind 
deeds, with a peculiar, unstudied tact which 
taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any precocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar, and in 
bi)dy and mind a finely developed bo3\ 

When sixteen years of age, in the year 1820, 
he entered Bovvdoin College, at Brunswick, Me. 
He was one of the mcst popular j-oung men in 
the college. The purity of his moral character, 
the unvarying courtesy of his demeanor, his rank 
as a scholar, and genial nature, rendered him a 
universal favorite. There was something pe- 
culiarl)- winning in his address, and it was evi- 
ikntly not in the slightest degree studied — it was 
the simple outgushing of his own magnanimous 
and loving nature. 

Upon graduating, in the year 1824, Franklin 
Pierce commenced the study of law in the office 
of Judge Woodbury, one of the most distinguished 



lawyers of the State, and a man of great private 
worth. The eminent .social (jualities of the young 
lawyer, his father's prominence as a public man, 
and the brilliant political career into which Judge 
Woodburj" was entering, all tended to entice Mr. 
Pierce into the fascinating yet perilous path of 
political life. With all the ardor of his nature he 
espoused the cause of Gen. Jackson for the Presi- 
dency. He commenced the practice of law in 
Hillsborough, and was soon elected to represent 
the town in the State Legislature. Here he 
served for four years. The last two years he was 
chosen Speaker of the House by a verj' large 
vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was 
elected a member of Congress. In 1837, being 
then but thirty-three years old, he was elected to 
the Senate, taking his seat ju.st as Mr. Van Buren 
commenced his administration. He was the 
youngest member in the Senate. In the year 
1834, he married Miss Jane Means Appleton, a 
lady of rare beauty and accomplishments, and one 
admirably fitted to adorn everj- station with which 
her husband was honored. Of the three sons who 
were born to them, all now sleep with their par- 
ents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing 
fame and increasing business as a lawyer, took up 
his residence in Concord, the capital of New 
Hamp.shire. President Polk, upon his accession 
to office, appointed Mr. Pierce Attorney-General 
of the United States; but the offer was declined 
in con.setjuence of numerous professional engage- 
ments at home, and the precarious state of Mrs. 
Pierce's health. He also, about the .same time, 
declined tlie nomination for Governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called 



7« 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



Mr. Pierce into the armj'. Receiving the appoint- 
ment of Brigadier-General, he embarked with a 
portion of his troops at Newport, R. I., on the 
27th of May, 1847. He took an important part 
in this war, proving himself a brave and true sol- 
dier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his na- 
tive State, he was received enthusiasticallj- by the 
advocates of the Mexican War, and coldly by his 
opponents. He resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, very frequently taking an active part in 
political questions, giving his cordial support to 
the pro-slavery wing of the Eemocratic party. 
The compromise measures met cordially with liis 
approval, and he strenuousl)' advocated the en- 
forcement of the infamous Fugitive Slave Law, 
which so shocked the religious sensibilities of the 
North. He thus became distinguished as a 
' ' Northern man with Southern principles. ' ' The 
strong partisans of slaver>- in the South conse- 
quentl}- regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the 12th of June, 1852, the Democratic con- 
vention met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate 
for the Presidency. For four days they contin- 
ued in session, and in thirty-iive ballotings no one 
had obtained a two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus 
far had been thrown for Gen. Pierce. Then the 
Virginia delegation brought forward his name. 
There were fourteen more ballotings, during which 
Gen. Pierce constantly gained strength, until, at 
the fortj--nintli ballot, he received two hundred 
and eight)-two votes, and all other candidates 
eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was the Whig can- 
didate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with great una- 
nimity. Only four States — Vermont, Massachu- 
setts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their elec- 
toral votes against him. Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 

His administration proved one of the most 
stormj' our countrj' had ever experienced. The 
contro\-ersy between sku-erj' and freedom was 
then approaching its culminating point. It be- 
came evident that there was to be an irrepressible 
conflict between them, and that this nation 
could not long exist ' ' half slave and half free. ' ' 



President Pierce, during the whole of his admin- 
istration, did everything he could to conciliate the 
South; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the disso- 
lution of the Union were borne to the North on 
ever J' Southern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when Presi- 
dent Pierce approached the close of his four- 
years term of oifice. The North had become 
tlioroughl)- alienated from him. The anti-slavery 
sentiment, goaded by great outrages, had been 
rapidly increasing; all the intellectual ability and 
social worth of President Pierce were forgotten in 
deep reprehension of his administrative acts. The 
slaveholders of the South also, mnnindful of the 
fidelity with which he had advocated those meas- 
ures of Government which they approved, and 
perhaps feeling that he had rendered himself 
so inipopular as no longer to be able to accepta- 
bly serve them, ungratefully dropped him, and 
nominated James Buchanan to .succeed him. 

On the 4tli of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
turned to his home in Concord. His three chil- 
dren were all dead, his last sun,-iving child hav- 
ing been killed before his eyes in a railroad acci- 
dent; and his wife, one of the most estimable and 
accomplished of ladies, was rapidly sinking in 
consumption. The hour of dreadful gloom soon 
came, and he was left alone in the world without 
wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth which 
divided our country into two parties, and two 
only, Mr. Pierce remained steadfast in the prin- 
ciples which he had always cherished, and gave 
his sympathies to that pro-slavery part}- with 
which he had ever been allied. He declined to 
do anything, either by voice or pen, tostrenglhen 
the hand of the National Government. He con- 
tiiuied to reside in Concord until the time of his 
death, which occurred in October, 1869. He was 
one of the most genial and social of men, an hon- 
ored comnumicant of the Episcopal Church, and 
one of the kindest of neighbors. Generous to a 
fault, he contributed liberally toward the allevia- 
tion of suftering and want, and many of his 
towns-people were often gladdened by his material 
bounty. 




^2y7?7^£^ Cy^P2oO-/{/C/ /7^€^-7Z/:P 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



3 AMES BUCHANAN, the fifteenth President 
of the United States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the eastern ridge 
of the Alleghanies, in Franklin County, Pa., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place where the 
humble cabin home stood was called Stony Bat- 
ter. His father was a native of the north of Ire- 
land, who had emigrated in 1783, with little prop- 
erty sa\e his own strong arms. Fi\-e jears after- 
ward he married Elizabeth Spear, the daughter 
of a respectable farmer, and, with his young bride, 
plunged into the wilderness, staked his claim, 
reared his log hut, opened a clearing with his 
axe, and settled down there to perform his obscure 
part in the drama of life. When James was eight 
years of age, his father removed to the village of 
Mercersburg, where his son was placed at school, 
and commenced a cour.se of study in Engli.sh, 
Eatin and Greek. His progress was rapid, and 
at the age of fourteen he entered Dickinson Col- 
lege, at Carlisle. Here he developed remarkable 
talent, and took his stand among the first scholars 
in the institution. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with the high- 
est honors of his class. He was then eighteen 
years of age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, 
fond of athletic .sports, an unerring shot, and en- 
livened with an exuberant flow of animal .spirits, 
lie immediately commenced the study of law in 
tlic city of Lanca.ster, and was admitted to the 
Bar in 1812, when he was but tweutj' -one years 
of age. 

In 1820. he reluctantly con.sented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Eower 
House. During the vacations of Congress, he 



occa5ionally tried some important case. In 1831 
he retired altogether from the toils of his profes- 
sion, having acquired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, upon his elevation to the Presi- 
dency, appointed Mr. Buchanan Minister to Ru.s- 
sia. The duties of his mission he performed 
with abiUty, and gave satisfaction to all parties. 
Upon his return, in 1833, he was elected to a seat 
in the United States Senate. He there met as 
his associates Webster, Clay, Wright and Cal- 
houn. He advocated the measures proposed by 
President Jackson, of making reprisals against 
France to enforce the payment of our claiuis 
against that country, and defended the course of 
the President in his unprecedented and wholesale 
removal from office of those who were not the 
supporters of his administration. Upon this 
question he was brought into direct collision with 
Henry Clay. He also, with voice and vote, ad- 
vocated expunging from the journal of the Senate 
the vote of censure again.st Gen. Jackson for re- 
moving the deposits. Earnestly he opposed the 
abolition of slaverj' in the Di.strict of Columbia, 
and urged the prohibition of the circulation of 
anti-slavery documents by the United States 
mails. As to petitions on the subject of .slavery, 
he advocated that they should be resjiectfully re- 
ceived, and that the reply should be returned 
that Congress had no power to legislate upon the 
subject. " Congress," .said he, "might as well 
undertake to interfere with slaverj' under a for- 
eign government as in any of the States where it 
now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Pre.sidency, 
Mr. Buchanan became Secretary of State, and as 
such took his share of the responsibility in the 



76 



JAMES BUCHANAN. 



conduct of the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed 
that crossing the Nueces by the American 
troops into the disputed territory was not wrong, 
but for the Mexicans to cro.ss the Rio Grande 
into Texas was a declaration of war. No candid 
man can read with jileasure the account of the 
course our Government ])ursueil in that movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified liimself thorouglily 
with the party devoted to the perpetuation and 
extension of slavery, and brought all the energies 
of his mind to bear against the Wilmot Proviso. 
He gave his cordial approval to tlie compromise 
measures of 1850, v^'hich included the Fugitive 
Slave Law. Mr. Pierce, upon his election to the 
Presidency, honored Mr. Buchanan with the mis- 
sion to England. 

In the year 1S56, a national Democratic Con- 
vention nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presi- 
dency. The political conflict was one of the most 
severe in which our country has ever engaged. 
All the friends of slavery were on one side; all 
the advocates of its restriction and final abolition 
on the other. Mr. Fremont, the candidate of the 
enemies of slavery, received one hundred and 
fourteen electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
one hundred and seventy-four, and was elected. 
The popular vote .stood 1,340,618 for Fremont, 
1,224,750 for Buchanan. On March 4, 1857, 
the latter was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only 
four years were wanting to fill up his three-score 
years and ten. His own friends, those with 
whom he had been allied in political principles 
and action for years, were seeking the destruc- 
tion of the Government, that they might rear 
upon the ruins of our free institutions a nation 
whose corner-stone should be human .slaver}-. In 
tliis emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly 
bewildered. He could not, with his long-avowed 
principles, consistently oppose the vState Rights 
party in their assumptions. As President of the 
United States, bound by his oath faithfully to 
administer the laws, he could not, without per- 
jury of the grossest kind, unite with those en- 
deavoring to overthrow the Republic. He there- 
fore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administra- 



tion nominated Abraham Lincoln as their stand- 
ard-bearer in the next Presidential canvass. 
The pro-slavery partj- declared that if he were 
elected and the control of the Go\-ernnient were 
thus taken from their hands, they would secedi; 
from the Union, taking with them as they retired 
the National Cajiitol at \\'ashington and the 
lion's share of the territory- of the Ihiited States. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slave- 
holders claiming the right to secede, and Mr. 
Buchanan avowing that Congress had no power 
to prevent it, one of the most pitiable exhibitions 
of governmental imbecility was exhibited that the 
world has ever seen. He declared that Congress 
had no power to enforce its laws in any State 
which had withdrawn, or which was attempting 
to withdraw, from the Union. This was not the 
doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with his hand 
upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed: "The Union 
mu.st and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina .seceded in December, i860, 
nearl)- three months before the inauguration of 
President Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in 
listless despair. The rebel flag was raised in 
Charleston; Ft. Sumter was besieged; our forts, 
nav}--yards and arsenals were seized; our depots 
of military stores were plundered, and our cus- 
tom-houses and post-offices were appropriated by 
the rebels. 

The energ)' of the rebels and the imbecility of 
our Executive were alike marvelous. The na- 
tion looked on in agony, waiting for the slow 
weeks to glide away and close the administration, 
so terril)le in its weakness. At length tlie long- 
looked-for hour of deliverance came, when Abra- 
ham Lincoln was to receive the scepter. 

The administration of Presitlent Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends can not recall it with 
pleasure. And still more deplorable it is for his 
fame, that in that dreadful conflict which rolled 
its billows of flame and blood over our whole 
land, no word came from his lips to indicate his 
wish that our country's banner .should triumph 
over the flag of the Rebellion. He died at his 
Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868. 




kP- — 



^~-^, c^ <iyv~iy^ 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



GlBRAHAM IJN'COLN, the sixteenth Presi- 
I \ (lent of the United States, was born in Hardin 
/ I County, Ky., February 12, i8oy. Aboul 
the year 1780, a mau by the name of Abraham 
Lincohi left \'irginia with his family and moved 
into the then wilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
after this emigration, and while still a young man, 
he was working one daj- in a field, when an Indian 
stealthily approached and killed him. His widow 
was left in extreme poverty w'ith five little chil- 
dren, three boys and two girls. Thomas, the 
youngest of the boys, and the father of President 
Abraham Lincoln, was four years of age at his 
father's death. 

When twenty -eight j-ears old, Thomas Lincoln 
built a log cabin, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of poor Kentucky 
emigrants, who had also come from Virginia. 
Their second child was Abraham Lincoln, the sub- 
ject of this sketch. The mother of Abraham was 
a noble woman, gentle, loving, pensi\e, created 
to adorn a palace, but doomed to toil and pine, and 
die in a hovel. " All that I am, or hope to be," 
exclaimed the grateful son, " I owe to my angel- 
mother." When he was eight years ot age, his 
father .sold his cabin and small farm and moved 
to Indiana, where two years later his mother died. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowlj* 
family was the usual lot of humanity. There 
were joys and griefs, weddings and funerals. 
Abraham's sister Sarah, to whom he was tenderly 
attached, was married when a child of but four- 
teen years of age, and soon died. The family 
was gradually scattered, and Thomas Lincoln 
sold out his squatter's claim in 1830, and emi- 
grated to Macon County, 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty -one years 
of age. With vigorous hands he aided his father 
in rearing another log cabin, and worked (juite 
diligently at this until he saw the family C(jm- 
fiir'ably setlle<l, and tlieir small lot of en.losed 
prairie planted witli C(;rn, when he announced to 



his father his intention to leave home, and to gc 
out into the world and seek his fortune. Little 
(lid he or his friends imagine how brilliant that 
fortune wa^ to be. He saw the value of educa- 
tion and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. Religion he 
revered. His morals were pure, and he was un- 
contaminated bj' a single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired 
laborer among the farmers. Then he went to 
Springfield, where he was employed in building 
a large flat-boat. In this he took a herd of swine, 
floated them down the Sangamon to Illinois, and 
thence by the Mississipjii to New Orleans. What- 
ever Abraham Lincoln undertook, he performed 
so faithfully as to give great satisfaction to his 
employers. In this adventure the latter were 
so well pleased, that upon his return thej- placed 
a store and mill under his care. 

In 1832, at the outbreak of the Black Hawk 
War, he enlisted and was chosen Captain of a 
company. He returned to Sangamon County, 
and, although only twenty-three years of age, was 
a candidate for the Legislature, but was defeated. 
He soon after received from Andrew Jackson the 
appointment of Postmaster of New Salem. His 
only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there, ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied surveying, and 
soon made this his business. In 1834 he agahi 
became a candidate for the Legislature and was 
elected. Mr. Stuart, of Springfield, advised him 
to study law. He walked from New Salem to 
Springfield, borrowed of Mr. Stuart a load ol 
books, carried them back, and began his legal 
.studies. When the Legislature assembled, lit 
trudged on foot with his pack on his back one 
hundred nules to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here 
it was he fir.st met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 
he removed to Springfield and began the practice 
of law. His success with the jury was .so great 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



that he was soon engaged in ahnost everj^ noted 
case ill the circuit. 

Ill 1S54 the great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas on the slavery ques 
tion. In the organization of the Republican party 
in Illinois, in 1856, he took an active part, and at 
once became one of the leaders in that party. 
Mr. Lincoln's speeches in opposition to Senator 
Douglas ill the contest in 1858 for a seat in the 
Senate, form a most notable part of his history. 
The issue was on the .slavery question, and he 
took the broad ground of the Declaration of In- 
dependence, that all men are created equal. Mr. 
Lincoln was defeated in this contest, but won a 
far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chi- 
cago on the 1 6th of June, i860. The delegates 
and strangers who crowded the city amounted to 
twenty-five thousand. An immense building 
called " The Wigwam," was reared to accommo- 
date the convention. There were eleven candi- 
dates for whom votes were thrown. William H. 
Seward, a man whose fame as a statesman had 
long filled the land, was the most prominent. It 
was generally supposed he would be the nomi- 
nee. Abraham Lincoln, however, received the 
nomination on the third ballot. 

Election day came, and Mr. Lincoln received 
one hundred and eighty electoral votes out of two 
hundred and three ca.st, and was, therefore, con- 
stitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this 
good and merciful man, especially by the sla\e- 
holders, was greater than upon any other man 
ever elected to this high position. In February, 
1 86 1, Mr. Lincoln .started for Wa.shington, stop- 
ping in all the large cities on his way, making 
speeches. The whole journey was fraught with 
much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already .seceded, and several attempts at assassi- 
nation were afterward brought to light. A gang 
in Baltimore had arranged upon his arrival to 
"get up a row," and in the confusion to make 
sure of his death with revolvers and hand-gren- 
ades. A detecti\-e unravelled the plot. A secret 
and special train was provided to take him from 
Harrisburg, through Baltimore, at an unexpecLed 



hour of the night. The train started at half- past 
ten, and to prevent any possible communication 
on the part of the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train 
had started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. 
Lincoln reached Washington in safety and was 
inaugurated, although great anxiety was felt by 
all loyal people. 

In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr. Seward the Department of State, and to 
other prominent opponents before the convention 
he gave important positions; but during no other 
administration had the duties devolving upon the 
President been so manifold, and the responsilnlities 
so great, as those which fell to his lot. Knowing 
this, and feeling his own weakness and inability 
to meet, and in his own strength to cope with, 
the difficulties, he learned early to seek Divine 
wisdom and guidance in determining his plans, 
and Divine comfort in all his trials, both personal 
and national. Contrary to his own estimate of 
himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the most cour- 
ageous of men. He went directly into the rebel 
capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, with 
no guard but a few .sailors. From the time he 
had left Springiiekl, in 1S61, however, plans had 
been made for his assassination, and he at last 
fell a victim to one of them. April 14, 1S65, he, 
with Gen. Grant, was urgently invited to attend 
Ford's Theatre. It was announced that they 
would be present. Gen. Grant, however, left the 
city. Pre.sident Lincoln, feeling, with his char- 
acteristic kindliness of heart, that it would be a 
disappointment if he should fail them, very re- 
luctantly con.sented to go. While listening to 
the play, an actor by the name of John Wilkes 
Booth entered the box where the President and 
family were .seated, and fired a bullet into his 
brain. He died the ne.xt nioniing at seven 
o'clock. 

Never before in the history of the world was 
a nation plunged into such deep grief by the death 
of its ruler Strong men met in the .streets and 
wept in speechless anguish. His was a life which 
will fitly become a model. His name as the 
Savior of his country will live with that of Wash- 
ington's, its Father. 





7,^?v_e^i 



ty^~- 




ANDREW JOHNSON. 



Gl XDREW JOHNSON, seventeenth President 
M of the United States. The early Hfc of An- 
I I drew John.son contains but the record of pov- 
erty , destitution and friendlessness. He was born 
December 29, 1808, in Raleigh, N. C. His par- 
ents, belonging to the class of "poor whites" 
of the South, were in such circumstances that they 
could not confer even the slightest advantages of 
etlucation upon their child. When Andrew was 
five years of age, his father accidentallj- lost his 
life, while heroicallj- endeavoring to save a friend 
from drowning. Until ten years of age, Andrew 
was a ragged boj' about the streets, supported by 
the labor of his mother, who obtained her living 
with her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a .school one 
day, and being unable either to read or write, was 
apprenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gen- 
tleman was in the habit of going to the tailor's 
shop occasionally, and reading to the boys at 
work there. He often read from the speeches of 
di.stinguished British statesmen. Andrew, who 
was endowed with a mind of more than ordinary 
ability, became much interested in the.se .speeches; 
his ambition was roused, and he was in.spired with 
a .strong de.sire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied him.self to the alphabet, 
and with the assistance of some of his fellow- 
workmen learned his letters. He then called upon 
the gentleman to borrow the book of speeches. 
The owner, plea.sed with his zeal, not only gave 
him the book, but a.ssi.sted him in learning to com- 
bine the letters into words. Under such difficul- 
ties he pres.sed onward laboriou.sly, sjx^nding u.su- 
ally ten or twelve hours at work in the shop, and 
then robbing himself of rest and recreation to de- 
vote such lime as he could to rea<liiig. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located at 



Greenville, where he married a young lady who 
possessed some education. Under her instructions 
he learned to write and cipher. He became 
prominent in the village debating society, and a 
favorite with the students of Greenville College. 
In 1828, he organized a working man's party, 
which elected him Alderman, and in 1830 elected 
him Mayor, which position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in 
political affairs, identifying him.self with the work- 
ing-class, to which he belonged. In 1835, he 
was elected a member of the House of Represent- 
atives of Teiniessee. He was then just twenty- 
seven years of age. He became a verj' active 
member of the Legislature, gave his support to 
the Democratic party, and in 1840 "stumped the 
State," advocating Martin Van Buren's claims to 
the Presidency, in opposition to those of Gen. 
Harrison. In this campaign he acquired much 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, 
he was elected a Member of Congress, and by suc- 
cessive elections held that important post for ten 
years. In 1853, he was elected Governor of Tenn- 
essee, and was re-elected in 1855. ^^" ^^1 these 
responsible po.sitions, he discharged his duties 
with distinguished ability, and proved himself the 
warm friend of the working classes. In 1857, Mr. 
Johnson was elected United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, .stating, however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would 
probably prove "to be the gateway out of which 
the .sable sons of Africa are to pa.ss from bondage 
to freedom, and become merged in a pojjulation 
congenial to themselves." In 1850, he also sup- 
ported the compromise measures, the twt> e.ssen- 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



tial features of which werf , that the white people 
of tlie Territories should be permitted to decide 
for themselves whether they would enslave the 
colored people or not, and that the free States of 
the North should return to the South persons who 
attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was never ashamed of his lowly 
origin: on the contrary, he often took pride in 
avowing that he owed his distinction to his own 
exertions. "Sir," said he on the floor of the 
Senate, "I do not forget that I am a mechanic; 
neither do I forget that Adam was a tailor and 
sewed fig-leaves, and that our Savior was the son 
of a carpenter. ' ' 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i860, 
he was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for 
the Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of 
the Southern Democracy became apparent, he took 
a decided stand in favor of the Union, and held 
that "slavery must be held subordinate to the 
Union at whatever cost." He returned to Tenn- 
essee, and repeatedly imperiled his own life to 
protect the Unionists of that State. Tenne.ssee 
having seceded from the Union, President lyincoln, 
on March 4, 1862, appointed him Military Gov- 
ernor of the State, and he established the most 
stringent military rule. His numerous proclama- 
tions attracted wide attention. In 1864, he was 
elected Vice-President of the United States, and 
upon the death of Mr. lyincoln, April 15, 1865, 
became President. In a speech two days later he 
said, "The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime 
and must be punished; that the Government will 
not always bear with its enemies; that it is strong 
not only to protect, but to punish. * * The 
people must understand that it (treason) is the 
blackest of crimes, and will surely be punished. ' ' 
Yet his whole administration, the history of which 
is so well known, was in utter inconsistency with, 
and in the most violent opposition to, the princi- 
ples laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amne.sty, he was opposed by Congress, and he 
characterized Congress as a new rebellion, aiid 
lawlessly defied it in everything possible to the ut- 
most. In the beginning of 1868, on account of 



"High crimes and mi.sdemeanors, " the principal 
of which was the removal of Secretary Stanton in 
violation of the Tenure of Office Act, articles of 
impeachment were preferred against him, and the 
trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was 
at length submitted to the court for its action. It 
was certain that as the court voted upon that ar- 
ticle so would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices 
pronounced the President guilt}'. As a two-thirds 
vote was necessary to his condemnation, he was 
pronounced acquitted, notwithstanding the great 
majority against him. The change of one vote 
from the not guilty side would have sustained the 
impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, 
was but little regarded. He continued, though 
impotently, his conflict with Congress. His own 
party did not think it expedient to renominate 
him for the Presidency. The Nation rallied with 
enthusiasm, unparalleled since the days of Wash- 
ington, around the name of Gen. Grant. Andrew 
Johnson was forgotten. The bullet of the assassin 
introduced him to the President's chair. Not- 
withstanding this, never was there presented to a 
man a better opportunity to immortalize his name, 
and to win the gratitude of a nation. He failed 
utterly. He retired to his home in Greenville, 
Tenn., taking no very active part in politics until 
1875. On January 26, after an exciting struggle, 
he was chosen by the Legislature of Tennessee 
United States Senator in the Forty-fourth Congess, 
and took his seat in that body, at the special ses- 
sion convened by President Grant, on the 5th of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-Presi- 
dent made a visit to his daughter's home, near 
Carter Station, Tenn. When he .started on his 
journey, he was apparently in his usual vigorous 
health, but on reaching the residence of his child 
the following day, he was stricken with paralj-.sis, 
which rendered him unconscious. He rallied oc- 
casionally, but finally passed away at 2 A, m., 
July 31 , aged sixty-seven years. His funeral was 
held at Greenville, on the 3d of August, with 
every demonstration of respect. 




t^-^^^ ^ *^~< 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



HLYSSES S. GRANT, the eighteenth Presi- 
flent of the United States, was bom on the 
29th of April, 1822, of Christian parents, in 
a humble home at Point Pleasant, on the banks 
of the Ohio. Shortly after, his fether mo\-ed to 
Georgetown, Brown Countj-, Ohio. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Uh'sses received a common- 
school education. At the age of seventeen, in 
the year 1839, he entered the Military Academy 
at West Point. Here he was regarded as a solid, 
sensible young man, of fair abilitj-, and of sturdy. 
honest character. He took respectable rank as a 
scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as Lieutenant of 
Infantr>- to one of the distant militarj- posts in the 
Missouri Territorj'. Two years he passed in these 
drear>' solitudes, watching the vagabond Indians. 
The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Chri.sti. His 
first battle was at Palo Alto. There was no 
chance here for the exhibition of either skill or 
heroism, nor at Resaca de la Palma. his second 
'r>attle. At the battle of Monterej-, hLs third en- 
gagement, it is said that he performed a signal 
sen-ice of daring and skillful horseman.ship. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant 
returned with his regiment to New York, and 
was again sent to one of the militarj' posts cm the 
frontier. The discovery of gold in California 
causing an immense tide of emigration to flow to 
the Pacific shores. Capt. Grant was .sent with a 
battalion to Ft. Dallas, in Oregon, for the frt-otec- 
tion of the interests of the immigrants. But life 
was wearisome in those wilds, and he resigned 
his cr/mraission and returned to the States. Hav- 
ing married, he entered upon the cultivation of a 
small farm near St. Louis, Mo., but having little 



skill as a fanner, and finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering 
into the leather business, with a younger brother 
at Galena, 111. This was in the year i860. As 
the tidings of the rebels firing on Ft. Sumter 
reached the ears of Capt. Grant in hLs counting- 
room, he said: "Uncle Sam has educated me 
for the army; though I have served him through 
one war, I do not feel that I have yet repaid the 
debt. I am .still ready to discharge my obliga- 
tions. I shall therefore buckle on my sword and 
see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of 
volunteers, and led them as their Captain to 
Springfield, the capital of the State, where their 
services were offered to Goi-. Yates. The Gov- 
ernor, impressed by the zeal and straightforward 
executive ab-iUtj' of Capt. Grant, gave him a desk 
in his office to assist in the volunteer organiza- 
tion that was being formed in the State in behalf 
of the Government. On the 15th of June, 1861, 
Capt. Grant received a commis.sion as Colonel of 
the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Volunteers. 
His merits as a West Point graduate, who had 
served for fifteen years in the regular army, were 
such that he was soon promoted to the rank of 
Brigadier-General, and was placed in command at 
Cairo. The rebels raised their banner at Padu- 
cah, near the mouth of the Tennessee River, 
Scarcely had its folds appeared in the breeze ere 
Gen. Grant was there. The rebels fled, their 
banner fell, and the Stars and Stripes were un- 
furled in its stead. 

He entered the senice with great determina- 
tion and immediately Ijegan active duty. This 
was the banning, and until the surrender of 
Lee at Richmond he was e%'er pushing the enemy 



88 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



with great vigor and effectiveness. At Uelniont, 
a few dajs later, he surprised and routed the 
rebels, then at Ft. Henry won another victory. 
Then came the brilliant fight at Ft. Donelson. 
The nation was electrified by the victory, and the 
brave leader of the boys in blue was immediately 
made a Major-General, and the mihtary district 
of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well 
how to secure the results of victory. He imme- 
diately pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then 
came the terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, 
Corinth, and the siege of Vick.sburg, where Gen. 
Pemberton made an unconditional surrender of 
the city with over thirty thousand men and one 
hundred and seventy-two cannon. The fall of 
\'icksburg was by far the most severe blow which 
the rebels had thus far encountered, and opened 
up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown 
from his horse, and received severe injuries, from 
which he was laid up for months. He then 
rushed to the aid of Gens. Rosecrans and Thomas 
at Chattanooga, and by a wonderful series of 
strategic and technical measures put the Union 
army in fighting condition. Then followed the 
bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout Moun- 
tain and Mis.sionar>- Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him 
unbounded praise in the North. On the 4th of 
February, 1864, Congress revived the grade of 
lieutenant-general, and the rank was conferred 
on Gen. Grant. He repaired to Washington to 
receive his credentials and enter upon the duties 
of his new office. 

Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge 
of the army to concentrate the widely-di.spcrsed 
National troops for an attack upon Richmond, 
the nominal capital of the rebellion, and endeavor 
there to destroy the rebel armies which would be 
promptly a.s.sembled from all quarters for its de- 
fense. The whole continent .seemed to tremble 
under the tramp of these majestic annies, rushing 
to the decisive battle-field. Steamers were crowd- 
ed with troops. Railway trains were burdened 



with closely -packed thousands. His plans were 
comprehensive, and involved a series of cam- 
paigns, which were executed with remarkable 
energy and abilitj-, and were consummated at the 
.surrender of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. 
The almost unanimous voice of the nation de- 
clared Gen. Grant to be the most prominent in- 
strument in its salvation. The eminent services 
he had thus rendered the country brought liim 
conspicuously forward as the Republican candi- 
date for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago, 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated 
for the Presidency, and at the autunni election 
received a majority of the popular vote, and two 
hundred and fourteen out of two hundred and 
ninetj'-four electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican 
party, which met at Philadelphia on the 5th o! 
June, 1872, placed Gen. Grant in nomination for 
a second tenn by a unanimous vote. The selec- 
tion was emphatically indorsed by the people five 
months later, two hundred and ninety-two elect- 
oral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term, Gen. 
Grant started upon his famous trip around the 
world. He visited almost everj' country of the 
civilized world, and was everywhere received 
with such ovations and demonstrations of respect 
and honor, private as well as public and official, 
as were never before bestowed upon any citizen 
of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before 
the Republican National Convention in 1S80 for 
a renomination for President. He went to New 
York and embarked in the brokerage business 
under the firm name of Grant & Ward. The 
latter proved a villain, wrecked Grant's fortune, 
and for larceny was sent to the penitentiarj-. 
The General was attacked with cancer in the 
throat, but .sufiered in his stoic-like manner, never 
complaining. He was re-instated as General of 
the Army, and retired by Congress. The cancer 
soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 1885, 
the nation went in mourning over the death oi 
the illustrious General. 




0(^U_6!-oJV 




RUTHERFORD B. HAYES. 



RUTHERFORD B. HAYES, the nineteenth 
President of the United States, was born in 
Delaware, Ohio, October 4, 1822, almost 
three months after the death of his father, Ruther- 
ford Haj-es. His ancestry on both the paternal and 
maternal sides was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, as far back as 
1280, when Haj-es and Rutherford were two 
Scottish chieftains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert Bruce. Both 
families belonged to the nobility, owned extensive 
estates, and had a large following. Misfortune 
overtaking the family, George Hayes left Scotland 
in 1680, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George was born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his life. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, 
married Sarah Lee, and lived from the time of 
his marriage until his death in Simsbur>% Conn. 
Ezekiel, son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was 
a manufacturer of scythes at Bradford, Conn. 
Rutherford Hayes, son of Ezekiel and grandfather 
of President Hayes, was born in New Haven, in 
August, 1756. He was a farmer, blacksmith and 
tavern-keeper. He emigrated to Vermont at an 
unknown date, settling in Brattleboro, where he 
estaljlished a hotel. Here his son, Rutherford 
Hayes, the father of President Hayes, was boni. 
He was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors 
emigrated thither from Connecticut, thej' having 
been among the wealthiest and best families of 
Norwich. Her ancestr>- on the male side is 
traced back to 1635, to John Birchard, one of the 
principal founders of Norwich. Both of her grand- 
fathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industri- 
ous, frugal, yet open-hearted man. He was of a 



mechanical turn of mind, and could mend a plow, 
knit a stocking, or do almost anything else that 
he chose to undertake. He was a member of the 
church, active in all the benevolent enterprises 
of the town, and conducted his business on Chris- 
tian principles. After the close of the War of 
1812, for reasons inexplicable to his neighbors, he 
resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Venuont to Ohio in that day, 
when there were no canals, steamers, or rail- 
ways, was a very serious affair. A tour of in- 
spection was first made, occupying four months. 
Mr. Hayes decided to move to Delaware, where 
the family arrived in 181 7. He died July 22, 
1822, a victim of malarial fever, less than three 
months before the birth of the son of whom we 
write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore bereavement, 
found the support she so much needed in her 
brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from 
Vermont, and in an orphan girl, whom she had 
adopted some time before as an act of charity. 

Rutherford was seven years old before he went 
to school. His education, however, was not neg- 
lected. He probably learned as much from his 
mother and sister as he would have done at 
school. His sports were almost wholly within 
doors, his playmates being his sister and her asso- 
ciates. These circumstances tended, no doubt, to 
foster that gentleness of disposition and that del- 
icate consideration for the feelings of others which 
were marked traits of his character. 

His uncle, Sardis Birchard, took the deepest 
interest in his education; and as the boy's health 
had improved, and he was making good progress 
in his studies, he proposed to send him to college. 
His preparation commenced with a tutor at home; 



9* 



RUTIIKRbX)RI) H, lIAVIvS. 



hill he was afterwards sent for one year to a pro- 
fessor in Ihe Weskvan University in MiiUllelown, 
Comi. He et\tereil Kenyon CtiUege in i8,vS, at 
tile ay;e i)f sixteen, and was ^raduateil at the head 
of his elass in 1S42. 

Ininie<hately after his Rrachiation he l>eKan the 
stndy of law in the oftice of Thomas Sparrow, 
Ivsti., in Cohnnlins. l-'inding his opporlnnities 
for stndy in Colnndms somewhat limited, he de- 
termiinsl to enter the Law School at Cambridge, 
Mass., where he remained two years. 

In 1S45, after gradnating at the I.aw School, he 
was admiltetl to the Har at Marietta, Ohio, and 
shortly al\erward went intt> i>raetice as an at- 
torneyat-law with Ralph IV Ihiekland, of Fre- 
mont. Mere he remained three years, acqniring 
Init a limited practice, and aj^parently uiiambilions 
of distinction in his professii>n. 

In 1841) he moved to Cincinnati, where his am- 
bition fi>nnd a new stinmlns. For several years, 
however, his progress was slow. Two events 
ixx^nrring at this peritnl had a powert"id inflnentx' 
upon his snbse<pient life. One of the.se was his 
mnrriage with Miss I.ncy Ware Webb, daughter 
«>f Dr. James Webb, of Chillicothe; the other was 
his introduction to the Cincinnati Literary Club, 
a luMly en\bracing among its n\embers such men 
ns Chief Jn.stiix- Salmon V. Cha.sc, Gen. John 
Poix', Gov. I'Mward K. Noyes, and many others 
hardly less di.stniguished in after lite. The mar- 
riage was a fortunate one in ever}- resjiect, as 
everylxidy knows. Not one of all the wives of 
our Presiilenls was more universally admired, 
reverenivvl and lielovei.! than was Mrs. Hayes, and 
no one did more than she to refle^-t honor u^xin 
Americai\ womanhotxl. The l,iterar>'Club brought 
Mr. Hayes into constant a.s.siviation with young 
men of high character and noble aims, and lureil 
him to display the unalities so long hidden by his 
lushl'ulness and njinlesty. 

In iS5(> he was nonunatetl totheofliccof Judge 
of the Ciuirt of Conunon IMias, but he declined to 
accept the nomination. Two years later, the of- 
fice of City Si>licitor Kvoming vacant, the City 
Council ekvte*! him for the uncxpirixl term. 

In iS6j, when the RelK-llion broke out, he was 
at the zenith of his protessional life. His rank at 



the Bar was among the first. But the news of 
the attack on l-'t. Sumter found him eager to 
take up arms for the defcn.se of his country. 

His military record was bright and illustrious. 
In October, 186 1, he was made Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel, and in August, 1862, promoted C\)lonel of 
the Seventy-ninth Ohio Regiment, but he refused 
to leave his old comrades and go among .strangers. 
Subsequently, however, he was made Colonel of 
his old regiment. At the battle of South Moun- 
tain he received a wound, and while faint and 
bleeding displayed txiurage and fortitude that 
won admiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, 
after his recovery, to act as Brigadier-General, 
and placed in conunand of the celebratetl Kanawha 
division, and for gallant and meritorious services 
in the battles of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and 
Cedar Creek, he was promoted Brigadier-General. 
He wasal.so breveteil Major- General, "for gallant 
and di.stingnished ser\"it^s during the campaigns 
of 1S64, in West Virginia." In the course of his 
arduous services, four horses were shot from un- 
der him, and he was woundenl four times. 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress 
from the Second Ohio District, which had long 
been IX^nocratic. He was not present during the 
campaign, and after the election was importuned 
to resign his connui.ssion in the anny; but he fi- 
nally declaretl, " I shall never conie to Washing- 
ton until I can a^me by way of Richmond." He 
was re-elected in 1S66. 

In 1S67, Gen. Hayes was elected Governor of 
Ohio, over Hon. Allen G. Thunuan, a popular 
Democrat, and in 1S69 was re-electetl over George 
H. Pendleton. He was elected Governor for the 
third tenn in 1875. 

In 1876 he was the .standard-bearer of the Re- 
publican party in the Presidential contest, and 
after a hanl, long contest was chosen President, 
and was inaugurated Monday, MaR^i 5, 1S77. 
He serve<.l his full tenn, not, however, with satis- 
faction to his ivirty, but his administration was an 
average one. The remaining years of his life 
were jiassed (juietly in his Ohio home, where he 
pa.sseil away Jai\uar>- 17. 1S93. 





.^ .^^^ tjl^^ 




JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



(Tames a. GARFIELD, twentieth President 
I of the United States, was born November 19, 
C2/ 1831, in the woods of Orange, Cuyahoga 
Count}', Ohio. His parents were Abram and 
Eliza ( Ballon j Garfield, both of New England 
ancestrj', and from families well known in the 
early history of that section of our counti-j-, but 
■who had moved to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, 
early in its settlement. 

The house in which James A. was born was 
not unlike the houses of poor Ohio farmers of 
that day. It was about 20 x 30 feet, built of logs, 
with the spaces between the logs filled with clay. 
His father was a hard-working farmer, and he 
soon had his fields cleared, an orchard planted, 
and a log barn built. The household comprised 
the father and mother and their four children, 
Mehetabel, Thomas, Mary and James. In May, 
1823, the father died from a cold contracted in 
helping to put out a forest fire. At this time 
James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, perhaps, 
can tell how much James was indebted to liis 
brother's toil and self-sacrifice during the twenty 
years succeeding his father's death. He now 
lives in Michigan, and the two sisters live in Solon, 
Ohio, near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages j'oung Gar- 
field enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the 
most of them. He labored at farm work for 
others, did carpenter work, chopped wood, or did 
anything that would bring in a few dollars to aid 
his widowed mother in her struggles to keep the 
little family together. Nor was Gen. Garfield 
ever ashamed of his origin, and he never forgot 
the friends of his struggling childhood, youth and 
manhood; neither did they ever forget him. 
When in the highest seats of honor, the humblest 
friend of his boyhood was as kindly greeted as 
ever. The poorest laborer was sure of the sym- 
pathy of one who had known all the bitterness of 



want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, 
plain, modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until 
he was about sixteen years old was to be cap- 
tain of a vessel on Lake Erie. He was anxious 
to go aboard a vessel, but this his mother strongly 
opposed. She finally consented to his going to 
Cleveland, with the under.standing, however, that 
he should try to obtain some other kind of em- 
ployment. He walked all the way to Cleveland. 
This was his first visit to the city. After making 
many applications for work, and trying to get 
aboard a lake vessel and not meeting with suc- 
cess, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Eetcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. 
He remained at this work but a short time, when 
he went home, and attended the seminary at 
Chester for about three years. He then entered 
Hiram and the Eclectic Institute, teaching a few 
terms of school in the mean time, and doing other 
work. This school was started by the Disciples 
of Christ in 1850, of which body he was then a 
member. He became janitor and bell-ringer in 
order to help pay his way. He then became both 
teacher and pupil. Soon " exhausting Hiram," 
and needing a higher education, in the fall of 1854 
he entered Williams College, from which he grad- 
uated in 1856, taking one of the highest honors of 
his cla.ss. He afterwards returned to Hiram Col- 
lege as its President. As above stated, he early 
united with the Christian, or Disciples, Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous 
member, often preaching in its pulpit and places 
where he happened to be. 

Mr. Garfield was united in ma/riage, Novem- 
ber II, 1858, with Miss Lucretia Rudolph, who 
proved herself worthy as the wife of one whom 
all the world loved. To them were born seven 
children, five of whom are still living, four boys 
and one girl. 



96 



JAMEvS A. GARFIELD. 



Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 
1856, in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and 
three j'ears later he began to speak at county 
mass-meetings, and became the favorite speaker 
wherever he was. During this year he was 
elected to the Ohio Senate. He also began to 
study law at Cleveland, and in 1861 was admitted 
to tlie Har. The great Rebellion broke out in the 
early part of this year, and Mr. Garfield at once 
resolved to fight as he had talked, and enlisted to 
defend the Old Flag. He received his commission 
as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fortj--second Regi- 
ment of Ohio Infantry August 14, 1861. He 
was innnediately put into active service, and be- 
fore he had ever seen a gun fired in action, was 
placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalrj-, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native State the able 
rebel officer, Humphrey Marshall, of Kentucky. 
Tliis work was bravely and .speedily accomplished, 
although against great odds, and President Lin- 
coln commi.s.sioned him Brigadier-General, Janu- 
ary ID, 1862; and "as he had bee.i the youngest 
man in the Ohio Senate two years before, so now 
he was the youngest General in the army." He 
was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloh, in its 
operations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a member of 
the general court martial for the trial of Gen. 
Fitz-John Porter. He was next ordered to re- 
port to Gen. Rosecrans, and was as.signed to the 
" Chief of Staff. " The military history of Gen. 
Garfield clo.sed with his brilliant services at Chick- 
amauga, where he won the rank of Major-General. 

Witliout an effort on his part, Gen. Garfield 
was elected to Congress in the fall of 1862, from 
the Nineteenth District of Ohio. This .section of 
Ohio had l)een represented in Congress for sixty 
years mainly by two men — Elisha Whittlesey and 
Joshua R. Giddings. It was not without a strug- 
gle that he resigned his place in the army. At ! 
the time he entered Congress he was the youngest 
member in that body. There he remained by 
.successive re-elections until he was elected Presi- 
dent, in 1880. Of his labors in Congress, Senator 
Hoar says: "Since the year 1864 you cannot 
think of a question which has been debated iu 



Congress, or discussed before a tribunal of the 
American people, in regard to which you will not 
find, if you wish in.struction, the argument on 
one side stated, in almost every instance better 
than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings 
by Mr. Garfield." 

LTpon January 14, 1880, Gen. Garfield was elect- 
ed to the United States Senate, and on the 8th of 
June, of the same year, was nominated as the 
candidate of his party for President at the great 
Chicago Convention. He was elected in the fol- 
lowing November, and on March 4, 1881, was 
inaugurated. Probably no administration ever 
opened its existence under brighter auspices than 
that of President Garfield, and every day it grew 
in favor with the people. By the ist of July 
he had completed all the initiatory and prelimi- 
nary wofk of his administration, and was prepar- 
ing to leave the city to meet his friends at Will- 
iams College. While on his way and at the 
depot, in company with Secretary Blaine, a man 
stepped behind him, drew a revolver, and fired 
directly at his back. The President tottered and 
fell, and as he did so the assassin fired a second 
shot, the bullet cutting the left coat .sleeve of his 
victim, but inflicting no further injury. It has 
been very truthfully said that this was ' ' the shot 
that was heard around the world. " Never before 
in the history of the nation had anything occur- 
red which so nearly froze the blood of the people 
for the moment as this awful deed. He was 
smitten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his 
life, at the summit of his power and hope. For 
eighty days, all during the hot months of July 
and August, he lingered and suffered. He, how- 
ever, remained master of himself till the last, and 
by his magnificent bearing taught the country 
and the world one of the noblest of human les- 
sons — how to live grandly in the very clutch of 
death. Great in life, he was surpa.ssingly great 
in death. He passed serenely awa>' September 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the verj- bank of 
the ocean, where he had been taken shortly be- 
fore. The world wept at his death, as it rarely 
ever had done on the death of any other great 
and noble man. 



■■'^ft^-- 




■^s^ 



1 





CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



E HESTER A. ARTHUR, twenty-first Presi- 
dent of the United States, was born in Frank- 
lin County, Vt., on the 5th day of October, 
1830, and was the eldest of a family of two sons 
and five daughters. His father was the Rev. Dr. 
William Arthur, a Baptist clergyman, who emi- 
grated to this country from County Antrim, Ire- 
land, in his eighteenth year, and died in 1875, in 
Newtonville, near Albany, after a long and sue 
cessful ministry'. 

Young Arthur was educated at Union College, 
Schenectady, where he excelled in all his studies. 
After his graduation he taught school in Ver- 
mont for two years, and at the expiration of that 
time came to New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex -Judge E. D. Culver 
as a student. After being admitted to the Bar, he 
formed a partnership with his intimate friend and 
room-mate, Henrj- D. Gardiner, with the inten- 
tion of practicing in the West, and for three 
months they roamed about in the Western States 
in search of an eligible site, but in the end re- 
turned to New York, where they hung out their 
shingle, and entered upon a successful career al- 
most from the start. Gen. Arthur soon after mar- 
ried the daughter of Lieut. Henidon, of the 
United States Navy, who was lo.st at sea. Con- I 
gress voted a gold medal to his widow in recog- 
nition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. 
Arthur's nomination to the Vice-Presidency, leav- 
ing two children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celeb- 
rity in his first great case, the famous Lemmon 
suit, brought to recover possession of eight slaves 
who had been declared free by Judge Paine, of 
the Superior Court of New York City. It was in 



1852 that Jonathan Lemmon, of Virginia, went 10 
New York with his slaves, intending to ship them 
to Texas, when they were discovered and freed. 
The Judge decided that they could not be held by 
the owner under the Fugitive Slave Law. A howl 
of rage went up from the South, and the Virginia 
Legislature authorized the Attorney -General of 
that State to assist in an appeal. W^illiam M. 
Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed to 
represent the people, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the 
United States. Charles O' Conor here e.spou.sed 
the cau.se of the slaveholders, but he, too, was 
beaten by Messrs. Evarts and Arthur, and a long 
step was taken toward the emancipation of the 
black race. 

Another great seriice was rendered by Gen. 
Arthur in the same cause in 1856. Lizzie Jen- 
nings, a respectable colored woman, was put ofi' 
a Fourth Avenue car with violence after she had 
paid her fare. Gen. Arthur sued on her behalf, 
and secured a verdict of $500 damages. The next 
day the company issued an order to admit colored 
persons to ride on their cars, and the other car 
companies quickly followed their example. Be- 
fore that the Sixth Avenue Company ran a few 
special cars for colored persons, and the other lines 
refused to let them ride at all. 

Gen. Arthur was a delegate to the convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of 
the Second Brigade of the State of New York, 
and Gov. Morgan, of that State, appointed him 
Engineer-in-Chief of his staff". In 1861, he was 
made In.spector-General, and .soon afterward be- 
came Quartermaster-General. In each of these 
offices he rendered great service to the Govern- 



lOO 



CHESTKR A. ARTHUR. 



inent during the war. At the end of Gov. Mor- 
gan s lenu he resumed the practice of law, forni- 
iug a partnership with Mr. Ransom, and then 
Mr. I'helps, the District Attorney of New York, 
was added to the finn. The legal practice of this 
well-known firm was ver>- large and lucrative, 
as each of the gentlemen composing it was an able 
lawyer, and pos.se.ssed a splendid local reputa- 
tion, if not, indeed, one of national extent. 

Mr. Arthur always took a leading part in State 
and city politics. He was appointed Collector of 
the Port of New York by President Grant, No- 
vember 21, 1872, to succeed Thomas Murphy, 
and he held the office until July 20, 187S, when 
he was succeeded by Collector Merritt. 

Mr. Arthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the 
famous National Republican Convention held at 
Chicago in June, 1880. This was ix;rhaps the 
greatest political convention that ever assembled 
on the continent. It was composed of the lead- 
ing politicians of the Republican party, all able 
men, and each stood firm and fought vigorously- 
and with signal tenacity for his respective can- 
didate that was before the convention for the 
nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield received the 
nomination for President, and Gen. Arthur for 
Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the his- 
tory of our country. Gen. Hancock, the stand- 
ard-bearer of the Democratic party, was a popular 
man, and his party made a valiant fight for his 
election. 

Finally the election came, and the country's 
choice was Garfield and Arthur. They were in- 
augurated March 4, 188 1, as President and Vice- 
President. A few months only had passed ere 
the newly-chosen President was the victim of the 
a.ssassin's bullet. Then came terrible weeks of 
suffering — those moments of anxious suspense, 
when the hearts of all civilized nations were 
llirobbing in unison, longing for the recovery of 
the noble, the good President. The remarkable 
patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the mo.st terrible 
suffering man has ever been called upon to en- 
dure, was seemingly more than human. It was 



certainly godlike. During all this period of 
deepest anxiety Mr. Arthur's every move was 
watched, and, be it said to his credit, that his every 
action di.splayed only an earnest desire that the 
suffering Garfield might recover to ser\'e the re- 
mainder of the term he had so auspiciou.sly be- 
gun. Not a selfi.sh feeling was manifested in 
deed or look of this man, even though the most 
honored position in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President 
Garfield from further suffering, and the world, as 
never before in its history over the death of any 
other man, wept at his bier. Then it became the 
duty of the Vice-President to assume the respon- 
sibilities of the high office, and he took the (^atli 
in New York, September 20, 18S1. The position 
was an embarra.ssing one to him, made doubly so 
from the fact that all eyes were on him, anxious 
to know what he would do, what policj- he would 
pursue, and whom he woidd select as advisers. 
The duties of the office had been greatly neglected 
during the President's long illness, and many im- 
portant mea.sures were to be inunediately decided 
by him ; and to still further embarass him he did 
not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many 
on this point. Under these trying circumstances. 
President Arthur took the reins of the Govern- 
ment in his own hands, and, as embarrassing as 
was the condition of affairs, he happily surprised 
the nation, acting so vvi.sely that but few criticized 
his administration. He ser\-ed the nation well 
and faithfully until the close of his admini.stra- 
tion, March 4, 1885, and was a popular candidate 
before his part)' for a second term. His name 
was ably presented before the convention at Chi- 
cago, and was received with great favor, and 
doubtless but for the personal popularity of one 
of the opposing candidates, he would have been 
selected as the standard-bearer of his party fot 
another campaign. He retired to private life, car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American 
people, whom he had served in a manner satisfac- 
tory to them and with credit to himself One 
year later he was called to his final rest. 



STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND. 



(pTEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND, the 
/\ t\veiit3--.secoiul President of the United States, 
v~/ was born in 1837, in the obscure town of 
Caldwell, Essex Count}-, N. J., and in a little 
two-and-a-half-stor}' white house, which is still 
standing to cliaracteristicall>- mark the humble 
birth])lace of one of America's great men, in 
striking contrast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in origin and 
born in the cradle of wealth. When the subject 
of this sketch was three years of age, his father, 
who was a Presbyterian minister with a large 
family and a small salary, moved, by way of the 
Hud.son River and Erie Canal, to Fayetteville, N. 
Y., in .search of an increa.sed income and a larger 
field of work. Fa\'etteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles 
from Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour 
was born. 

At the last-mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the good, old-fashioned 
way, and presumably distinguished him.self after 
the manner of all village boys — in doing the 
things he ought not to do. Such is the dis- 
tinguishing trait of all geniuses and independent 
thinkers. When he arrived at the age of four- 
teen years, he had outgrown the capacit}- of the 
village .school, and expressed a most emphatic de- 
sire to be sent to an academj-. To this his fa- 
ther decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money ; besides, his father wanted him 
to become self-supporting by the quickest pos- 
-sible means, and this at that time in Faj-etteville 
seemed to be a position in a country store, where 
his father and the large family on his hands had 



considerable influence. Grover was to be paid 
$50 for his ser\'ices the first 3'ear, and if he proved 
trustworthy he was to receive f 100 the second 
year. Here the lad commenced his career as 
salesman, and in two years he had earned so good 
a reputation for trustworthiness that his employ- 
ers desired to retain him for an indefinite length 
of time. 

But instead of remaining with this firm in 
Fayetteville, he went with the family in their re- 
moval to Clinton, where he had an opportunity 
of attending a High School. Here he industri- 
ously pursued his studies until the family re- 
moved with him to a point on Black River known 
as the "Holland Patent," a village of five or six 
hundred people, fifteen miles north of Utica, N. Y. 
At this place his father died, after preaching but 
three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, 
at a small salary, the position of under-teacher 
in an asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully 
for two years, and although he obtained a good 
reputation in this capacity, he concluded that 
teaching was not his calling in life, and, revers- 
ing the traditional order, he left the city to seek 
his fortune, instead of going to the city. He first 
thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as there was some 
charm in that name for him; but before proceed- 
ing to that place he went to Buffalo to ask advice 
of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted stock- 
breeder of that place. The latter did not speak 
enthusiastically. "What is it you want to do, 
my boy?" he a.sked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply "Good gracious!" remarked 
the old gentleman; " do you, indeed? Whatever 



I04 



STEPHEN GROVER CLEVELAND. 



put that into your head ? How much money 
have you got?" "Well, sir, to tell the truth, I 
haven't got any." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him 
a place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at 
$50 a year, while he could look around. One 
day soon afterward he boldly walked into the of- 
fice of Rogers, Howen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and 
told them what he wanted. A number of young 
men were already engaged in the office, but Gro- 
ver's pensistency won, and he was finally per- 
mitted to come as an office boy and have the use 
of the law library, receiving as wages the sum of 
$3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for his 
board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair, and as for his overcoat he 
had none; yet he was, nevertheless, prompt and 
regular. On the first day of his service there, his 
senior employer threw down a copy of BlacTi- 
stone before him, with a bang that made the dust 
fly, saying "That's where they all begin." A 
titter ran around the little circle of clerks and 
students, as they thought that was enough to 
scare young Grover out of his plans; but in due 
time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, however, Mr. Cleve- 
land exhibited a talent for executiveness rather 
than for cha.sing principles through all their 
metaphy.sical possibilities. "Let us quit talking 
and go and do it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland 
was elected was that of Sheriff of Erie County, 
N. Y., in which Buffalo is situated; and in such 
capacity it fell to his duty to inflict capital punish- 
ment upon two criminals. In i88i he was 
elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo, on the 
Democratic ticket, with especial reference to bring- 
ing about certain reforms in the administration 
of the nuuiicipal affairs of that citj'. In this of- 
fice, as well as in that of Sheriff, his performance 
of duty has generally l)ecn considered fair, with 
f)Ossibly a few exceptions, which were ferreted 
out and magnified during his Presidential cam- 
paign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an 



iniquitous street-cleaning contract: "This is a 
time for plain speech, and my objection to your 
action shall be plainly .stated. I regard it as the 
culmination of a most bare-faced, impudent and 
shameless scheme to betraj- the interests of the 
people and to worse than squander the people's 
money." The New York Sun afterward very 
highl\- commended Mr. Cleveland's administra- 
tion as Mayor of Buffalo, and thereupon recom- 
mended him for Governor of the Empire State. 
To the latter office he was elected in 18S2, and 
his adniini.stration of the affairs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, 
if any, were made very public throughout the na- 
tion after he was nominated for President of the 
United States. For this high office he was 
nominated July 11, 1S84, by the National Demo- 
cratic Convention at Chicago, when other com- 
petitors were Thomas F. Bayard, Roswell P. 
I''lowcr, Thomas A. Hendricks, Beiij;.min F. 
Bulk r, .Mien G. Thurman, etc. ; and he was 
elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
Ihousaiul, over the brilliant and long-tried Re- 
publican statesman, James G. Blaine. President 
Cleveland resigned his office as Governor of New 
York in January, 1885, in order to prepare for 
his duties as the Chief Executive of the United 
States, in which capacity his term' commenced at 
noon on the 4th of March, 1S85. 

The silver question precipitated a contro\'ersy 
between those who were in favor of the continu- 
ance of silver coin.ige and those who were op- 
posed, Mr. Cleveland answering for the latter, 
even before his inauguration. 

On June 2, 1886, President Cleveland iiiatried 
Frances, daughter of his deceased friend and jxirt- 
ner, Oscar F'ol.som, of the Buffalo Bar. Their 
union has been blessed by the birth of two daugh- 
ters. In the campaign of 1888, President Cle\e- 
land was renominated by his party, but the 
Republican candidate, Gen. Benjamin Harrison, 
was victorious. In the nomination., of 1892 
these two candidates for the highest position in 
the gift of the people were again pitted again.st 
each other, and in the ensuing election President 
Cleveland was victorious by an overwhelming 
majority. 




^i3CA^/ ' tl>V^<i2-^/--^^^«=^'^^'*^ 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



gENJAMIN HARRISON, the twenty-third 
President, is the descendant of one of the 
historical families of this country. The first 
known head of the family was Maj . -Gen. Harrison, 
one of Oliver Cromwell's trusted followers and 
fighters. In the zenith of Cromwell's power it be- 
came the duty of this Harrison to participate in 
the trial of Charles I., and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subsequently 
paid for this with his life, being hung October 13, 
1660. His descendants came to America, and 
the next of the family that appears in history is 
Benjamin Harrison, of Virginia, great-grandfa- 
ther of the subject of this sketch, and after whom 
he was named. Benjamin Harrison was a mem- 
ber of the Continental Congress during the years 
1774, 1775 and 1776, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was three times elected Governor of Virginia. 

Gen. William Henry Harrison, the son of the 
distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a 
succes-sful career as a soldier during the 'War of 
1 8 1 2 , and with a clean record as Governor of the 
Northwestern Territory, was elected President of 
the United States in 1840. His career was cut 
short by death within one month after his in- 
auguration. 

President Harrison was born at North Bend, 



Hamilton County, Ohio, August 20, 1833. His 
life up to the time of his graduation from Miami 
University, at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful 
one of a country lad of a family of small means. 
His father was able to give him a good education, 
and nothing more. He became engaged while at 
college to the daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of 
a female school at Oxford. After graduating, he 
determined to enter upon the study of law. He 
went to Cincinnati and there read law for two 
jears. At the expiration of that time young Har- 
rison received the only inheritance of his life — his 
aunt, dying, left him a lot valued at $800. He 
regarded this legacy as a fortune, and decided to 
get married at once, take this money and go to 
some Eastern town and begin the practice of law. 
He sold his lot, and, with the money in his pocket, 
he started out with his young wife to fight for a 
place in the world. He decided to go to Indian- 
apolis, which was even at that time a town of 
promise. He met with slight encouragement at 
first, making scarcely anything the first year. 
He worked diligently, applying himself clo.sely to 
his calling, built up an extensive practice and 
took a leading rank in the legal profession. 

In i860, Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his exi^erience as a stump speaker. He can- 



io8 



BENJAMIN HARRISON. 



vassed the State thoroughly, and was elected by 
a handsome majority. In 1862 he raised the 
Seventeenth Iniliana Infantry, and was chosen its 
Colonel. His rei;imeiit was composed of the raw- 
est material, but Col. Harrison employed all his 
time at first in mastering military tactics and drill- 
ing his men, and when he came to move toward 
the East with Sherman, his regiment was one of 
the best drilled and organized in the army. At 
Resaca he especially di.stinguished himself, and 
(br his bravery at Pcachtroe Creek he was made 
a Brigadier-General, Gen. Hooker speaking of 
him in the most cbmplimeiitar>- terms. 

During the ab.sence of Gen. Ilarri.son in the 
field, the Supreme Court declared the office of 
Supreme Court Reporter vacant, and another 
person was elected to the position. From the 
time of leaving Indiana with his regiment until 
the fall of 1864 he had taken no leave of absence, 
but having been nominated that year for the same 
office, he got a thirty-day leave of absence, and 
during that time made a brilliant canvass of the 
State, and was elected for another term. He then 
started to rejoin Sherman, but on the way was 
stricken down with scarlet fever, and after a most 
trying attack made his way to the front in time to 
participate in the closing incidents of the war. 

In 1868 Gen. Harrison declined a re-election 
as Reporter, and resumed the practice of law. In 
1876 he was a candidate for Governor. Although 
defeated, the brilliant campaign he made won for 
him a national reputation, and he was much sought 
after, especially in the East, to make speeches. 
In 1880, as usual, he took an active part in the 
campaign, and was elected to the United States 
Senate. Here he served for six years, and was 
known as one of the ablest men, best law-yers and 
strongest debaters in that body. With the ex- 
piration of his senatorial term he returned to the 
practice of his profession, becoming the head of 
one of the strongest firms in the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
mo.st memorable in the history of our country. 
The convention which assembled in Chicago in 
June and named Mr. Harrison as the chief st.ind- 
ard-bcarer of the Reput)lican party was great in 
everj' particular, and on t'lis account, and the at- 



titude it assumed upon the vital (juestions of the 
day, chief among which was the tariff, awoke a 
deep interest in the campaign throughout the 
nation. Shortly after the nomination, delegations 
began to visit Mr. Harrison at Indianapolis, his 
home. This movement became popular, and from 
all .sections of the country societies, clubs and 
delegations journeyed thither to pay their re- 
spects to the distinguished statesman. 

Mr. Harrison spoke daily all through the sum- 
mer and autumn to these visiting delegations, 
and so varied, masterly, and eloquent were his 
speeches that they at once placed him in the fore- 
most rank of American orators and statesmen. 
Elected by a hand.some majority, he sened his 
country faithfully and well, and in 1892 was nom- 
inated for re-election; but the people demanded a 
change and he was defeated by his predecessor 
in office, Grover Cleveland. 

On account of his eloepience as a speaker and 
his power as a debater. Gen. Harri.sou was called 
upon at an early age to take part in the dis- 
cussion of the great questions that then began to 
agitate the country. He was an uncompromising 
anti-slavery man, and was matched against some 
of the most eminent Democratic speakers of his 
State. No man who felt the touch of his blade 
desired to be pitted with him again. With all 
his eloquence as an orator he never spoke for ora- 
torical effect, but his words always went like bul- 
lets to the mark. He is purely American in his 
ideas, and is a .splendid type of the American 
statesman. Gifted with quick perception, a logi- 
cal mind and a ready tongue, he is one of the 
most distinguished impromptu .speakers in the 
nation. Many of these speeches .sparkled with the 
rarest eloquence and contained arguments of great 
weight, and many of his terse statements have 
already become aphorisms. Original in thought, 
precise in logic, terse in statement, yet withal 
faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as the 
sound statesman and brilliant orator of the day. 
During the last days of his administration Presi- 
dent Harrison suffered an irreparable lo.ss in the 
death of his devoted wife, Caroline (Scott) Har- 
ri.sou, a lady of many womanly charms and vir- 
tues. They were the parents of two children. 



MADISON COUNTY, 



ILLINOIS. 



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1. 



-ir^ 



i^M 



-4-^= 



INTRODUQTORY. 






3,HE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnislr a record 
of tlieir early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should be made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in which the names and actions of the , 
people who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preserved. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their prime entered 
the wilderness and claimed tlie virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to their graves. The number re- 
maining wlio can relate the incidents of the first days 
of settlement is becoming small indeed, so that an 
actual necessity exists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events wthout delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion 'o the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
Th ; (lyraniids of Kgypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made by the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements 
The erection of the great obelisks were for tl:e same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their gieat mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action ; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, ihougl 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his liistory, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme. 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we s|)eak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unwcthy of public record. 



J^F^iti 



«: ^ 



( 




WII.MAM R. rRICKKTT. 



(sf® 











AJ. WILLIAM RUSSELL PRICKETT was 
born in Edw.ardsvillo, III., in September, 
1836. He is of southern ancestr3'. Ilis 
mother was a Kentnckian, and his father, 
Col. Isaac Prickett, a native of Georgia, who at an 
early date migrated to Illinois, and was pronii- 
nentl\- identified with its history, both as a torri- 
torj' and state. He embarked in merchandising 
at Edwardsville in 181-8, and continued in the 
business until his death, in 1844, in the meantinie 
filling numerous oflices of public trust, viz.: (Quar- 
termaster-General of the Illinois Militia, Paj-mastcr 
of Militia, Inspector of the Penitentiary, Public 
Administrator, Coroner and Postmaster. In 18.38 
he was appointed by President Van Buren to the 
responsible position of Receiver of Public Monej'S 
for the United States Land OlHce, and was re-ap- 
pointed to the ofliee by President Tyler in 1842, 
which position he held at the time of his death. 

The oldest son in the famil3', Nathaniel I'ope 
Prickett, was an officer in the United States Nav}-, 
and died with yellow fever on board the United 
States storeship "Lexington," in the harbor of Rio 
de Janeiro, South America, in 1850. The young- 
est son, the subject of this sketch, has spent his 
life in his native town with the exception of the 
years that he was a student at the Western Mili- 
tary Institute in Kentuck}', and afterward at the 
Illinois College in Jacksonville. He entered the 
latter institution in 18r)."), and there, through ap- 
plication and industr3', laid the foundation for a 
bu>iness life of activity and usefulness. Although 
he had always been a Democrat, he followed the 
example of the great Douglas in being loyal to 
slate and country', and entered the Union army as 



Lieutenant in the One Hundred and Fiftieth Illi- 
nois Infantr}'. Pjefore leaving Camp Butler he 
was made Major of the regiment. 

May 1, 1805, Major Prickett was assigned by 
Maj.-Gen. James P>. Steadman to Brevet Brigadier- 
General Salm-Salm's Second Brigade, Second Sep- 
arate Division, Army of the Cumberland, and on 
the 2d of May moved to Dalton, Ga. He had 
command of the forces between Bridgeport, Ala., 
and Chattanooga, Tenn., and was in command of 
the left wing of the regiment while it was stationed 
at Spring Place, Ga. In July he was appfiinted 
Judge Advocate of a court martial which con- 
vened in Augusta, Ga., bj' order of General Stead- 
man. After his return from Augusta to Atlanta, 
he was made Provost-Marshal, which oflice be 
filled until the regiment left Atlanta August 14, 
when ho had command of Companies C. F. G, K 
and II, with his headquarters at La Grange, Ga. 
He was honorably mustered out of the service at 
the close of the war in 186C. 

In 18C8 INIajor I'riekett engaged in the banking 
business in Edwardsville, and has continued in it 
successfully since that time. As an illustration of 
his financial standing during the panic of 1873, 
when so man\' hundreds of banks in the country 
suspended payment, the banking house of West & 
Prickett continued to pay and discount as usual 
during the stringency. As evidence of the confi- 
dence still reposed in him 113' the people, it may be 
mentioned that during the panic of 1893, his de- 
posits increased rather than decreased, man3- with- 
drawing their deposits from other banks and plac- 
ing them with him. Not only did he stand his 
own ground, but rendered assistance to several 



118 



PORTRAIT AND lUOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



oilier l)anks at tlie sninc linio. wliilc {•inilinuinij to 
loan money to all ri's|Hinsil>li' piTsons who a|>- 
plicd. 

Owing to tlio pressinji fh-iiianils of his private 
business. Major I'rickell has found vcrv little lime 
to devote to ]K)litics. In February, IHS."), he was 
apiN)inted United States Commissioner for Illinois 
liy .ludire Samuel II. Treat, and lias had the liont)r 
of representing his native town and county twice 
in the Illinois General Assembly. During one ses- 
sion he w.as made Chairman of the Cominittee on 
Hanks and IJanking, a eominittee composed of the 
ablest and best men in the Legislature. II is career 
in the Legislature was characterized b^' soundest 
discretion, and by faithful and honest representa- 
tion of the best interests of his cf)nstiluents and 
the people of the state. 

During the Senatorial contest of 188.'), when 
Gen. John A. Logan was re-elected Senator, Major 
Priekell received at different times several voles 
for United .Stales Senator as an exinession on llic 
l)arl of Ills friends of their high regard for him as 
a representative of the great cominonweallh of 
Illinois. He again received a mark of favor from 
his political friends in being selected for his dis- 
trict as Presidential elector on the National Demo- 
cratic ticket for 1892. 

Major Prickett has been twice mairied. His 
first wife, whom he married in 18.59, and whodied 
in 1871. was Virginia F., daughter of lion. Ed- 
ward M. West, who was until his death, in 1887, 
engaged in the banking business with Major Prick- 
ett. Three children born of the first marriage are 
living. The son, Edward Isaac, is now serving as 
Cf)nsnl at Kelil, German}'. The elder daughter, 
Virginia I{.. is the wife of William A. Iiurrowes, 
a banker and broker of New York Cit\'. The 
youngest daughter, Mary W., is the wife of Ilarri- 
.son I. Drummond. Vice-President of the Druni- 
niond Tobacco Company, of .St. Louis, Mo. 

Major Prickett 's second marriage t(M)k place in 
1888. and united him with .losephine M., daughter 
of the late .Judge .loseph (iillespie, who w.as one of 
the jiioneei-s of Illinois history in politics and 
slatesnianship. He was born in New York City 
of .Scotch-Irish antecedenis in 18(l'.»,and came with 
his parents to Illinois and settled in l",dward.-.\ ille 



in 1819. lie was a typical self-made man; his 
educational facilities were very limited, but his 
love for reading and study compensated to a great 
extent for his lack of opportunities. Having to 
depend upon his own resources, at an early age he 
chose the law for a profession, where he look rank 
with the foremost men of the stale. His friends 
and roni])cers were Lincoln. Douglas, .Shields, 
Trumball, Hrcesc and HisscU, and the hosts of 
other names that are conspicuous in state and na- 
tional history. His friend, the late United States 
Minister to France. Hon. E. 15. Washburne, jiaid 
this tribute to him in dedicating his "Life of Gov. 
E<lward Coles:" "To the Hon. .Joseph Gillespie, 
one of the connecting links between the earlier 
and later Illinois, and who in his career as a law- 
j'er, a m.agistrale and a citizen has illustrated the 
history of our state for more than lialf a century, 
this ])aper is dedicated .a-s a sliglit token of the 
profound res|)ect and high esteem in which he is 
held by the writer." 




,i_ ON. WILLIAM F. L. IIADLEY is the sen- 

)l' iftr member of the law firm of Iladley & 
Uurlon, of Edwardsville, and is recognized 
as one of the most (U'ominent practitioners 
in this section of the state. l\Ir. Iladley was born 
.June 1.'), 1817, on a farm near Collinsville, 111., 
was there reared, and in the common schools ac- 
(|uiri'd his inimary education. At the age of six- 
te<'ii he was sent to McKendree College, at Lebaiutn, 
III., from which he was graduated in .June, 1867, 
and after his return home he spent a portion 
of his time on a fruit farm in southern Illinois for 
about three years. In the fall of 1870, lie entered 
the law department of the University of Michigan, 
at Ann ,\rbor, from which he was gra<1uatcd in 
1871. He returned home and in November of that 
year opened a law ollice in Edwardsville, enter- 
ing upon his professional career. He soon made 
his way to the frtuit rank at the I'.ar, securing a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



119 



line practice. In 1874 he formed a law partner- 
ship witli Judge Krome, which continued until 
1890, when the latter was elected to the ollice of 
County Judge. Mr. Iladley was then alone until 
1892, when he formed a partnership with Charles 
H. Burton, under the firm name of Hadley & Bur- 
ton, which still continues. 

In the fall of 1886, Mr. Iladley was nominated 
b^^ the Republican partj' for State Senator from 
the Forty-first iJistrict, and was elected by one of 
the largest ni.ajorities ever given a candidate for 
this ofHce, receiving more than eleven hundred 
votes over his opponent. During the first session 
of his term he was pLaced on several committees, 
among which were the judiciary', mines and min- 
ing, revenue, elections and military, and was Chair- 
man of the Penal Reforms and Militia Committees. 
During the second session he was made Chairman 
of the Judiciary Committee, and was on sever.al 
other important committees. lie has the credit of 
securing the passage of several important legisla- 
tive measures. lie was instrumental in securing 
the passage of a bill increasing the powers of the 
Board of R.ailroad and Warehouse Commissioners, 
authorizing them to investigate the causes of acci- 
dents, and inspect the trestle work and bridges; 
also a bill for increasing the powers of the county 
courts. The Judiciary Committee was distin- 
guished at this session for its able legislation, 
which was largely owing to the zeal and earnest 
efforts of its efficient Chairman. It was also dis- 
tinguished for its suppression of many legislative 
bills, the passage of which would have been damag- 
ing and even pernicious in their effects. Mr. Ilad- 
ley was nominated for a second term during his 
absence from the state, but was obliged to decline 
the honor on account of sickness in the family. 
He is a prominent factor in the politics of the 
state and county, and has alwaj's taken an active 
part in all matters tending to advance the inter- 
ests of his party. He has been delegate to the 
various conventions of his partj', and was chosen 
as one of the four delegates at large from Illinois 
to the convention held in Chicago in 1888, which 
nominated Benjamin Harrison. 

The parents of Mr. Iladley were William and 
Didama (McKinney) Iladley. The father was 



born in Adair County, Ky., November 23, 1806, 
and was a son of John Iladley, who was born in 
Maryland in 177C, and was of English descent. 
When a young man, he went to Kentucky, where 
he married a Miss Guthrie. Ho was a soldier in 
the War of 1812, and a farmer by occupation. In 
1817 he removed to Illinois, locating near Collins- 
ville, whore he entered land and followed farming 
throughout his remaining days. William Iladley 
was reared on that farm, and in early years learned 
carpentering, but after his marriage gave his at- 
tention to agricultural pursuits. In politics, he 
w.as a Whig, but upon the formation of the Re- 
publican part}- became a strong supporter of its 
principles. His wife died in 1803, but he is still 
living and enjoys good health. They were mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. 
Hadloy was a local preacher of much power, very 
zealous and active in church work, doing much 
for the advancement of the cause. In his family 
were seven children, onl\' two of whom are now 
living, viz.: Wilbur C, ex-County Treasurer, and 
now a banker of Collinsville; and W. F. L., of 
this sketch. 

W. F. L. Hadley was married June 1.5, 1875, 
in Edwardsville, to Mary West, daughter of Ed- 
ward M. and Julia (Atwater) West, both of whom 
are now deceased. Mr. West was born Ma}' 2, 
1814, and was one of the early .settlers of Madi- 
son County. His parents were Tilgham II. and 
Mary A. (Mitchell) West, and the West family 
was founded in America by English ancestors, who 
settled iu Maryland prior to the Revolution. The 
maternal grandfather, Edward Mitchell, served 
under General Washington in the War for Inde- 
pendence. Mr. West was a man of fine literary 
taste, and before he died had collected a fine lib- 
rary. He w.as .active in politics, and supported the 
Whig part}' until its dissolution, when he became 
a Democrat. He was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of Illinois of 1848, and at one 
time was Superintendent of the public schools of 
Madison County. His children who grow to m.a- 
turil}' were Virginia, wife of Maj. William R. 
Prickett; Mary, wife of Mr. Iladley; and Nora. 
As a speaker, Mr. West was highly gifted, and 
could talk entertainingl}' on almost an}' subject, 



120 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



always lioUlinjj the interest of liis audience. Mrs. 
Ilatllcy is a member df the Melliodist Kpiscdpal 
Church. 

Mr. Iladlcy heloiigs to the Mason ie, tiic Odd 
Fellow and the Knights of Pythias fraternities. 
As a lawyer he takes front raidc. lie has a natural 
legal mind, is a close student and is well versed in 
his profession. As an advocate, either before 
court or jury, he is forcible, clear and concise in 
presenting his cases and is convincingin argument. 
lie is regarded as one of the best all around law- 
yers at the Bar. Public spirited, he is disposed at 
all times to aid in worthy enter|)rises. He is a 
man of genial temperament, charitable and benevo- 
lent. Of strong domestic tastes, his home is his 
life, and to it he e.agerly makes his way when 
through with business eares. As a citizen he is an 
honor to the community in which he dwells, and 
to the country. 



Q: 



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a I^ILLIAM II. HALL, the present Mayor of 
\rJ// Kdwardsvilie, is dcsceuiled from old Rcv- 
W^ olutionai'V stock. His great-grandfalhei, 
William Hall, was a soldier in the struggle for 
independence, enlisting in April, 177'.), in a South 
Carolina regiment, commanded by Capt. James 
McCall. After six months he was made Sergeant 
in William Alexander's Com|)any of North Car- 
olina. Three months later he was transferred ti> 
Jonathan Pitt's Company in Col. Ceorge Alex- 
ander's Regiment, whcie he served for four 
months, after which lie spent a similar period in 
the company commanded by (lilbert Falls. He 
was then transferred to a company commanded by 
Capt. James Duckworth, where he served three 
months. 

At the time of his enlistment Mr. Hail was liv- 
ing at Long Cane, S. C, and entered the service 
as a substitute for his uncle, William Hall. He 
marched to .Savannah, (la., which was burned, 
and then he joined General LiiudIii at .St. Mary's. 
After his first term of three nioiitlis lie re-enlisted 



in the same company', .and made the campaign 
against the Cherokee Indians. After his return 
he went to Mecklenburgh, N.C. During his third 
term of three months he aided in the defense of 
Charleston, which was besieged, and next en- 
tered Captain Pitt's Company, but was subse- 
quently detached as a teamster, under Wagon- 
master Hartgrave, to transport provisions to Gen- 
eral Gates, in which he was engaged until that gen- 
eral's defeat in Camden, S. C, in August, 1780. 
His fifth service under Captain Falls brought 
him into the battles of Ramsoux Mills and Guil- 
ford Court House. During his last term under 
Colonel Duckworth he took part in the battle of 
Utah Springs, and the seventy-five prisoners cap- 
tured in that engagement were placed under his 
charge to deliver to General Locke at Salisbury, 
N. C. 

This hero of the Revolution was born in 17G2, 
near Lancaster, Pa., and after the war lived in 
Mecklenburgh, Rutherford and Lincoln Counties, 
N. C, and in Rutherford County, Teiin. In ISl,') 
he came to Illinois, locating neai' Collinsville, 
Madison County. He died May \'^, IHKI, re- 
spected by all who knew him. lie had seven 
children, among whom was John Hall, who was 
the father of nine children, including I s.aac, father 
of our subject. Isaac Hall was born in North 
Carolina, and cainc to Madison County, HI., in 
1818. He followed fanning, and in j)olitics was 
liist a Whig and later a Democrat. His death oc- 
curred Se|>temb('r 18, 1870, and his wife died April 
0, 1877. 

W . II. ll.nll.dur subject, was a chiiilof only four 
years when he came to this county. He entered 
upon his business career .as a school teacher, 
which profession he followed for two years. He 
w.as afterward employed in the County Clerk's 
olliee, and in April, 1887, he was elected City 
Clerk, which position he held for six years, dis- 
charging his duties with promptness and fi<lelity. 
In 18;il! he was elected Mayor of the city, and is 
now filling that pf)sition with credit to himself 
and satisfaction to his con>lituents. 

On the Clh of Ajiril, 187(1, i\Ir. Hall married 
.Icnnic ( 'liaimirui, (iMUglitci of .loseph and Rachel 
(Lnglish) Ciiapman, the former a native of North 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



121 



Carolina, and tlie latter of New York. Mr. Hall is 
a member of the Masonic and Oild Fellows' so- 
cieties. Aside from his oflicial duties he is en- 
gaged in the abstract business with George Lev- 
erett. As a Ma)-or he is popular with those who 
desire s;<^^)od government .and are in favor of tlic 
enforceiiienl of the laws. Ilis well spent life and 
his honorable, upright career have gained him 
universal confidence and esteem. 






■JYlO.SEPII EDMUNDS, of Edwardsville, w.-is 
born August 12, 18.38, in New Albany, 
Ind., and is a son of .John P. and .lane 
(Renneau) Edmonds. His father was born 
in North Carolina December 2, 180.3, and was a 
son of George Edmonds, a native of England, of 
.Scotch-Irish ancestry. lie came to this country in 
Colonial daj's. John P. Edmonds was a Methodist 
minister for over fifty j'cars. During his youth 
he accompanied his parents to Tennessee, was 
there married .and entered upon his life work. 
About 18.30, he settled near New Alban}-, Ind., 
and about ten years later went to Jackson Coun- 
ty, where he remained twenty-two j'ears. He 
then located near Vincennes, where he spent fif- 
teen years, after which he removed to Marshfield, 
JIo., where he died in 1885. He was a stalwart 
Repulilican and one of nature's noblemen. His 
wife was born March 12, 1806, in Jefferson Coun- 
ty, Tenn. Her parents, who were of French de- 
scent, died in Indiana. .She was a zealous mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died 
in Missouri in 1869. 

Mr. and Mrs. Edmonds were the parents of seven 
children: Meredith R., who served as First Lieu- 
tenant in the Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and 
is now deceased; P>lbert S., who died in childhood; 
George K., a pi\acticing plij-sieian of Harrison, 
Ark., who served as hospital steward in the Fort^-- 
fourtli Indiana Regiment; John R., who was in 
Conii)any H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry; Lewis 
R., who was in Company B, Ninet^'-seventh In- 



diana Infantry, and is now a Methodist minister 
of Pleasantville, Ind.; Joseph, and Narcissa, wife 
of G. B. Reynolds, of Indian Territor}-. 

Mr. Edmonds of this sketch was educated in the 
private and public schools, and at the .age of nine- 
teen began teaching, which work he followed un- 
til he too joined the boys in blue, becoming a 
member of Company II, Fifty-first Indiana In- 
fantry, October 22, 1861. While in camp at In- 
dianapolis, he was stricken with the measles .and 
discliarged on account of disability, but on the 
18th of November, 1863, re-cnlisled in Vincennes 
as a member of Company F, One Hundred and 
Twentieth Indiana Infantry, under Colonel Pra 
ther. They went to Indianapolis and to N.ashville, 
and thence marched to join Sherman. AtShelby- 
ville, our subject was placed in the hospital and 
w.as captured by General Forest when lie took pos- 
session of the place. Some five weeks later the 
place was re-captured by the .Second Kentucky 
Cavalry, and he was taken to Chattanooga, 
where he was detailed as clerk for tlie Twenty- 
third Convalescent Camp. After five weeks he 
was disch.arged and rejoined his regiment in Pu- 
laski. It was soon afterwards ordered to join 
Thomas' Army and march against Hood. Mr. 
Edmonds took part in the two days' battle of Co- 
lumbia, and the engagement at Spring Hill, also at 
Franklin, where his regiment suffered .severely. 
This was followed b^' the memorable battle of 
Nashville with General Thomas in command. 
Later they drove Hood out of the state and moved 
dowai the Tennessee and up the Ohio River to 
Cincinnati, where the command took the train for 
Washington and there went into camp. A few 
weeks later the troops went to Alexandria, and 
later went to Newbern, where the3'' received sup- 
plies for Sherman's Army, and then marched to- 
wards Goldsboro, driving the enemy back and re- 
pairing the road. They met the enemy in battle 
at Kingston, and finally joined Sherman's forces 
at Goldsboro, remaining there until after the sur- 
render of Johnston, when the One Hundred and 
Twentieth Regiment was sent to Charlotte, and 
later returned to Raleigh, where Mr. Edmonds 
was detailed as general ward m.aster at the general 
hospital. The following November he returned 



122 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



home on » furlough niul <>ii (he 2/illi of the month 
was nnistpppd out. 

After liis reluiii Mw ImIhioiuIs cngnged in teach- 
ing scliool Ihrougli the winter season . until eni- 
iiarking in tlie insurance l)usiness in Olney, III., 
where he remained until August, 18S;?, since 
which time he has resided in Kdwardsville. lie 
is now agent for various lire and life insurance 
companies of America and Kurope, and is Secre- 
tary of the Home liuilding Association, lie also 
holds the position pf Town Cleik. 

On the 12tli of .\pril, 18.58, in Vincennes, Ind., 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kdmonds and 
Miss Mary, daughter of .loseph and Kli/,ab<'lli \:\u 
Meter. They have had twelve children, six yet 
living: William, .lohn; 15elle, wife of I''. M. Rich- 
ardson; Eugene, Ella and Charles. The parents 
are meinhers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and in politics our suliject has been a Republican 
since casting his first Presidential vote for Abra- 
ham Lincoln. He is now commander of the (Irand 
Army ])Ost of Edwardsville, and is a prominent 
and worth}' citizen who manifests the same loyal- 
ty to every duly as when he left his home and 
young wife for the hardships of war, and followed 
the Stars anil Stripes on southern b.attlelields un- 
til the colors were triumphantly planted on the 
Capitol of the Confederacy. 






ellARLES WILLYS TERRY was born in the 
city of Edwardsville, Madison County. III., 
October 11. 18(iH. His father, .1. W. Terry. 
was born in the stale of Kentucky October 21. 
182(1, and is directly descended from one of the 
early Cavalier families of \'irginia that came to 
this country from England in the early part of 
the seventeenth century. In 1830 he was brought 
by his iiarents to Illinois and settled in Jersey 
County. His education was gained in Shuillcff 
College in I pper Alton, I II., and after coming to 
Edwardsville, in the fall of IHI'.t, he taught school 
for several years in Edwardsville Academy with 



mark(>d ability and success. For four years he 
held the olllce of Superintendent of Schools of 
Madison County and at the present lime is an in- 
lluential member of the Ho.ard of Trustees of the 
Southern State University of Illinois. 

In IH")!, in connection with William L. Royd, 
.1. W. Terry embarked in the mercantile busi- 
ness and conducted what w.as at that time the 
largest establishment in Madison County. In \HC>C> 
he formed a partnership in the same business with 
Aloysius Gerber, the (irm thus formed transacting 
a very extensive and successful business. He is 
now ojierating in real estate, and for fort}' years 
has been recognized as one of the most prominent 
real-estate dealers in the county. The lady whom 
he married in 1804 is a descendant t)f English an- 
cestors and w.as born in the city of Philadelphia 
in 184,'5. Her parents, .lohn and Alary A. (Mel- 
son) O'llara, were both of iMiglish extraction, the 
O'llaias being of Revolutionary fame. Her father 
was one of the most extensive manufacturers of 
Phil;ulel|)liia, but removed thence U) St. Louis in 
1817. Mrs. Terry was educated at Moiitici'llo 
.Seminary and is a lady of great intelligence, cul- 
ture and relinement. 

The subject of this ske(,ch is the only surviving 
child in th(> family. He conimencc<I his education 
at the Ivlwardsville public schools, the studies of 
which he com|)leted in liS.SO, at the age of twelve 
years. .Studying the modern languages under a pri- 
vate tutor at home, he became a prolicient (ierman 
scholar and afterward finished his literary educa- 
tion at the State ITniversity of Mi.ssouri. in Colum- 
bia, in 1887, being an alumnus of that institution. 
In addition to the regular collegiate studies he took 
a course in civil engineering. 

After reading law with the linn of Dale i^- llrad- 
shaw, Mr. Terry was admitted to practice before 
the Supreme Court at the age of twenty one, 
standing (irst in a class of twenty-eight applicant-s. 
In 1891 he became a member of the legal lirm with 
whom he had conducted his readings, the title be- 
ing changed to Dale, Hradshaw A' Terry. The 
lirm cnjo^'s a general practice in all courts, state 
and federal, and Mr. Terry has gained an enviable 
reputation in the successful conducting of impor- 
tant litigations. Early in life he decided upon the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



123 



practioo of law as liis profession, and from boy- 
hood has fliiectctl all his energies to that one ob- 
ject, making everything else subservient. 

Politically- a Democrat, Mr. Terry is an active 
and useful member of his party. He keeps him- 
self well informed on all questions of the day and 
is a good campaigner. Plain, direct, honest and 
conscientious in all his work, with a mind well 
schooled by previous training, a broad education 
acquired in early life, a constant student, of ver- 
satile accomplishments and large acquaintance, a 
fluent talker, a strong advocate, with natural and 
acquired oratfvrical powers, he gives promise of a 
brilliant career. 



M 






HARLES II. BURTON, of the law firm of 
Iladle3- & Burton, of Edwardsville, was 
born on a farm in .Johnson County, 111., 
August 14, 1861, and is a son of Charles and Caro- 
line (Russell) Burton. Mis father was born in 
Virginia, July 19, 1824, and his mother February 
14, 18.33, in Tennessee. The paternal grandfather, 
Fielden Burton, was born in Virginia, and his fa- 
ther was a native of England. He crossed the At- 
lantic in Colonial days. Charles Burton, Sr., was 
in the Mexican War and was in the city of Mex- 
ico at tlie time of its surrender. By occupation 
he was a farmer and grain dealer. He came to 
Illinois in 1844, locating in .Johnson Count}', 
where he ac(|uired a large tract of land of which 
he was owner for about thirty years. In 1868 he 
removed to Carbondale for the purpose of educat- 
ing his children, and in 1889 went with his family 
to Mt. Vernon, where he remained until 1893, 
when he was appointed a member of the Board of 
Appeals of the Chicago Board of Trade. While 
discharging his official duties in Chicago, he was 
taken sick and at once retui-ned to his home in 
Mt. Vernon, where after a brief illness he passed 
away, December 21, 1893. His widow is still liv- 



ing with her daughters in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Burton 
was a lifelong Democrat and took an active inter- 
est in political affairs, but w.as never an otlice 
seeker. He was one of the largest grain buyers 
and speculators in southern Illinois. For over 
forty years he was a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternit}', and in religious belief was a Baptist. He 
built at his own expense a church on his farm and 
w.as a liberal contributor to church and benevolent 
work. Mrs. Burton also holds membership with 
the same church. 

In the familj' were seven children, Thomas; 
Mattie, now the wife of Samuel W. Frizzell, of 
Athens, Tex.; John W., who is Clerk of the Ap- 
pellate Court of Mt. Vernon; Arista, professor of 
history in the State Normal University of Carbon- 
dale; Julia, at home; Melissa and Charles H. All 
are living with the exception of Thomas and Me- 
lissa, who died man}' years ago. 

The subject of this memoir was reared on the 
home farm, and his early education acquired in 
the common schools was supplemented J\y study in 
the high school of Carbondale. He afterward en- 
tered the Normal University, where he remained 
for five j'ears, pursuing a classical course of study. 
He was graduated in 1881. With a desire of en- 
tering the legal profession, he entered the oflice of 
Judge A. D. Duff, of Carbondale, where he read 
law for .about three years, when he was admitted 
to the Bar in Mt. Vernon in 1884. For about a 
year he remained in the otlice of Judge Duff, and 
then removed to Mt. Vernon, where he began 
practice alone. In 1891 he formed a partnership 
with Judge C. S. Conger and John W. Burton, 
under the firm name of Conger & Burton Broth- 
ers. On the 21st of June, 1892, he came to Ed- 
wardsville, having formed a partnership with 
Hon. W. F. L. Iladley. This is a leading law firm 
of Madison County, and they are now doing a 
large and lucrative business. 

Mr. Burton was married October 15, 1885, in 
Edwardsville, to Miss Anna C, daughter of Col. 
William E. and Piety F. (Hatcher) AVheeler. The 
Wheelers came from New York to Illinois in an 
early day, and the Hatchers were from Tennes.see. 
Mr. and Mrs. Burton are the parents of four chil- 
dren, Margaret Eugenie, Lady Elizabeth, Charles 



124 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



\Villi;iin :incl .liilia. 'I'lio hisl-namci] is iinw do- 
cexsod. 

Mr. Million is :i iiiomlicr of llie Ii.iptisl Cliurcli 
;iii(l of llio Knights of I'ylliias fraternity. He 
vott's with llio Deniofr.itic party, tjikcs an .active 
part in politics, and was a inenilier of llie State 
Convention tliat nominated .Senator Palmer. lie 
has been a delegate to various local conventions, 
and w.as a delegate to the famous judicial conven- 
tion wliicli nominated a successor for the late 
Judge John Scolield, and the choice at length fell 
ui)on Judge Phillips, now of the Supreme I5encli. 
Mr. lUirton occu|)ies an enviable position at the 
Madison County Har, having risen steadily in his 
profession. As a citizen he is public spirited and 
IM'ogressive, and well deserves representation in 
this volume. 



:^#C^ 



ylLLIAM II. COTTER, of EdwardsviUe. was 
born in Greene County, I nd., Octolier 21. 
1821, and is a son of Abner and Sarah 
(Kendall) Cotter. His father was born in Tennes- 
see, maile farming his life work, and died in (Jreene 
County, Ind., March 11, 1827. In politics he was 
a Whig. liis wife was a native of Ohio, and died 
in Lawrence County, Mo., in March, 18;")!, in the 
faith of the Methodist Church, with which she 
held niembershi|). This worthy couple were the 
|>arents of six cliildren, Nancy M., Samuel K., 
John S., William II., Thomas A. and Abner R. 
After the death of her (irst husband, Mrs. Cotter 
became the wife of Z. Newman, and had six chil- 
dren, Susan, Catherine, Zadock, Uebecca, Joseph 
and .Sarah. Susan and Zadock are the onlj- ones 
now living, and our subject is the only survivor 
of the lirsl marriage. The mother came with her 
family to Madison County in October, 1827, and 
here lived until 1810, when she went with her 
husband to southwestern Missouri. 

Mr. Cotter whose name heads this notice ac- 
quired his education in the subscription schools, 
but his advant.ages were somewhat me.agre. Leav- 
ing his home in Missouri he returned to Madison 
County, and at length began faniiing for hiinsclf. 



Willi capital he had saved fruni his earnings he 
purchased forty acres of land in Kt. Russell Town- 
ship, and in connection with his brother Abner, 
purchased eighty acres of their step-father, which 
he cultivated for a time and then sold. In 1847, 
he went to Wisconsin, made a claim of forty acres 
and purchased forty acres in Grant County". On 
selling that trad he became owner of eighty .acres 
in Fl. Uiissell Townslii[), where he carried on fann- 
ing for a time, when, in connection with llcniy 
Helk, he bought one hundred and seventy acres of 
timber land, on which was a sawmill. This he 
afterward sold to his partner, and bought one hun- 
dred and twenty acres on Ridge Prairie, and a 
tract of eighty acres in Wood River Township, and 
other land adjoining to the amount of two hun- 
dred and twenty acres. He also became owner of 
a timber tract. Here he carried on farming suc- 
cessfully until 1865, when he sold out for|!lL400. 

Mr. Cotter then took up his residence on the 
Alton Road, having purchased a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, which he developed and iin- 
provcd from 18116 until 1881. He also bought 
forty acres of C'harles .Seb.ostian, and one hundred 
and seventeen and a-half .acres of tiie Helk heirs. 
He purchased this for ^7o per acre and sold it for 
i!l27 per acre. He disposed of half of this prop- 
erty, and in 1881 sold the b.alance for *23,500, 
removing at that time to EdwardsviUe. lie yet 
owns three highly cultivated farms in Missouri, 
one of two hundred and thirty-three acres, one of 
two hundred and thirty-five .acres in I5oone Coun- 
ty, and the third of one hundred and fifty-nine 
acres in Shelby County. 

Mr. Cotter was married February 1.!. IMKI, to 
Miss FMizabeth .1. Harrison, daughter of William 
and Mary Harrison. Their only son, Robert, died 
in infancy, and the mother did iiol long survive. 
On the 13th of December, 184it, Mr. Cotter mar- 
ried Mar^' A., daughter of Noah and Elizabeth 
(Jones) Kimball, and ten children graced this 
union, five yet living, Elizabeth, wife of Warren 
Cushman, of IJoone County, Mo.; Charles, of Ed- 
wardsviUe; John E., of Boone County; .Iiilia 1., 
wife of John Levis,of Chicago; and l''annie C., wife 
of James Kinder, of St. Louis. 

Mr. Cotter served as .Supervisor of EdwardsviUe 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



125 



Township and has fiUed other local oftices. In 
(lolitics hu was foriueily a Whig, and is now a Re- 
publican. Socially, he is a Royal Arch Mason, and 
both he and his wife arc members of the Method- 
ist Ei)iscopal Church. In his business dealings he 
has been very successful, and his enterprise, saga- 
city and well directed efforts have made him one 
of the wealth}' citizens of Madison County. 



+= 



---i- 



/^EORGE B. CRANE, who for many years 
III ,_- was i)rominently connected with the mer- 
^^^1 cantile interests of Edwardsville, but is 
now living retired, claims New York as the state 
of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Sen- 
eca Count}'. His parents were Anisey and Nancy 
(Crosby) Crane, the former a native of New Jer- 
sey, and the latter of Winchester, N. Y. On Ixith 
sides the family is of English origin. In early life 
the father removed to the P^mpire State, where 
throughout his remaining days he carried on 
farming. Both he and his wife died in Seneca 
County in the faith of the Presbyterian Church, 
witli which tliey held membership. In ()olitical 
belief he was a Democrat. The family numbered 
five children: Kosswell, a farmer of Seneca Coun- 
ty, N. Y.; Harriet, wife of J. C. AVolf, of Seneca 
County; Lewis, of Seneca County; .Tames A., of 
Augusta, Mich., and George B. 

The last-named was reared on the old home 
farm, and in the common schools acquired his 
earl>- education, which was supplemented by study 
in an academy. At the age of sixteen he started 
out in life for himself and went to New York 
City, where he was employed as clerk in a store 
for about five 3'ears. On the expiration of that 
period we lind him in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he 
engaged in clerking in a dry-goods store for three 
years. He also worked in a similar capacity in St. 
Louis for a jear, after which he went to White Hall, 
111., continuing in the drj'-goods business at that 
jilace for two and a-half years. 

In April, 18G1, Mr. Crane came to Edwardsville, 
and in connection with his father-in-law opened a 



general store on Main Street, under the firm name 
of G. B. Crane & Co., which connection continued 
until 1882, when Mr. Crane purchased his part- 
ner's interest. He was then alone in business un- 
til Jul}^ 1891, when he sold out to the Edwards- 
ville Dry Goods Company, and has since lived 
retired. He yet owns the building occupied by 
that company, together with a farm adjoining the 
city limits, some real estate in St. Louis, and six 
hundred and forty acres of cultivated land in 
Chariton County, Mo. As a merchant he was very 
successful and built up a most excellent trade, 
which yielded to him a handsome fortune. 

On the 1st of August, 1863, Mr. Crane married 
Isabel O., the accomplished daughter of Abel O. 
and Angeline O. (Dann) French. Her mother is 
now deceased, but her father resides in Kansas 
City. Mr. and Mrs. Crane became the parents of 
three children: Edward Otis, who is engaged in 
the drug business in Edwardsville; George B., de- 
ceased, and Charles A., who is now attending the 
Marmaduke Military School in Sweet Springs, 
Mo. Mrs. Crane is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Thej' have a beautiful home 
on St. Louis Street, which was erected in 1893. It 
is supplied with all the comforts and man}' of the 
luxuries of life and is the abode of hospitality. 
Mr. Crane was a member of the School Board for 
ten years and is now its President. In politics he is 
a Democrat. His life has been well and worthily 
spent and he has gained the confidence and high 
regard of all who know him. 



@. 



■ l t i l l ll« » l l « j »»^»^»^ >^^«j»«lfj>«jl «gt »j« 



5s/ 



ffUDGE M. G. DALE was born at Lancaster, 
Pa., of which place his parents were also 
natives. An early ancestor of the family, 
Charles Dale was a native of England, but 
in 1690 removed to Ireland, from which country 
his grandson, Samuel, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, emigrated in 1766 to America, and in 1769 
married Miss Ann, daughter of Samuel Futhey, of 



i2t; 



PORTKAIT AND BIOORAI'IIICAL RECORD. 



Chester t'tuinly, l':\. lie «:i.s waiiiilv attuclieil to 
his iulupled (.'tuiiiliy, touk an nflivi' pari in de- 
fense of CVilonial rij^hls, and was a line Whig in 
llie days of the Revohition. 

For twenly-two ^ears Samuel Dale was a mem- 
lier of the Assenihly or Senate of the slate of 
IV'iinsylvania. His iiaiiic appears to iiiaiiy of those 
"time lioiK>ied" docnnieiils. Iianjiinj,' in appropri- 
ate frames, u|)on the walls of the t;overiK)r's room 
ill the State Capitol at Ilarrisburg, treasured there 
as pri'i'ious relies of the earl_v days of the Com- 
nionweallli, viz.: To the original commission to 
Joseph Keed as I'resideiit of the Com iiioii wealth 
of IVnii^ylvaiiia in 177H; to the eUxinenl and ac- 
ci>m|>lislK'd .loliii Di( kerson as rresideiil in 1784; 
to lienjamin Franklin as President, and Charles 
Uiildle as Viee-1'resident in 1780; and to 'riiomas 
Mllllin as (ioveriior ill 1796. These commissions 
arc issued ''in the name and hy the aiillK)rity of 
tiie niemhers of the (leneral Assemliiy and Su- 
preme Fxecutive Council of the Commoiiwcallh" 
convened in the Slate House t)f Philadeipiiia; and, 
as a niemlter o( llial body dm ing all of said pe- 
riod, his name apfiears suhserilied to each commis- 
sion, lie died September 27, 1801, aged sixty- 
three years. His wife survived for many years, 
dying in IH;};"), at the age of eisrhty-four years. 

l)f his nine children, Samuel, the second in 
order of birth, became the father of the subject of 
this sketch. He was versed in civil engineering 
and spent some of his earlier years in Vcnaugo 
County, Pa., in superiiilending, under commission, 
the survey and establishmeiil of the county and 
township lines of Venango and other counties 
then organized in norlhweslern Pennsylvania. Me 
w!us coiumissioned by Cov. Thomas McKeaii Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of the t)ne Hundred and Tliirt^-- 
secoiid Kegimeiil, and was again coinniissioned in 
1811 by Governor Snyder. In the War of 1812 
he diseiplincd and commanded a regiment on the 
norllierii frontier. In .Inly, 18K!, under special 
order, he marched his regiment to Frie to protect 
Captain (subseijucntly Commodore) Perry and his 
vessels while crossing the bar for the naval en- 
gageiiient on Lake Krie. In January, 1811, after 
the enemy had burned Buffalo and threatened the 
(iolriiclion of the (loverumeiit vessels at Erie, 



he again, under orders, occupied Krie with his 
regiment. 

From 1808 to 18l.'5 Samuel Dale ri'presciiled 
the counties of Venango and Mercer in liie SUite 
I^egislature. and 1)11 the I'Jlh of November, 1812, 
while a member of the Legislature in session at 
Lancaster, Pa., he married Kliza. daughter of 
Michael ( Jundakcr. tuic of the leading and success- 
ful merchants of Lancaster. December .'5. 181'J, 
he was commissioned a Judge of the Coiiil of 
Common Pleas and t)yer and Terminer of Lan- 
caster County, Pa., and held this position for 
twenty-two years, up to the time of his dealli. He 
filled many ollices o{ trust, such as Presidciil of 
the Cily Hoard of Kducatioii, Trustee of l'"i;iiikliii 
College, and Trustee or Director of oilier ediica- 
lional, iiioneyed and benevolent iiistiliilions. He 
was ail active |)artici|iaiil in all public eiilerpri.ses 
of Ins il;iy, and with the re|)ulal imi I'oi rulclily to 
every one of the many trusts committed to Ins 
care, died September 1, 1812. 

The subject of tins sketch was gradu.-ilfil iroiii 
Peiiiisylvaiiia College in 1813,'), and was admilled 
to the practice of law at Lancaster, Pa., in 18.'37. 
Early in 1838 he left home to visit the western 
stiites, and traveling in 1 llinois, accepted an in- 
vitation from one whose ac(iuaintaiice he formed 
in Bond County to spend the day there. During 
the day he was employed in a law case then about 
to be heard. At its teiiiiiiiation he was offered 
the management v( other law c.a.ses, wliiili he re- 
luctantly accepted, not wishing to be detained. 
But the cases increased; matters not only of law 
but of trust were confided in liiiii, snlllcienl .soon 
to engage all his time and induce hiiii to erect a 
comfortable ollice and larr^' there. And lie looks 
b.-ick with pleasure on those days spent among the 
early settlers so open-hearted, liberal and con- 
fiding. 

In August of the next year our subject was 
elected Probate Judge, a title subseiiuently changed 
to Count}' Judge. In a<lditiou to his ordinary 
duties, the Judge, with two persons elected under 
name of County Justices, had charge and iiiaii- 
agcment of the finances of the county. Many 
counties through excess of appropriations were 
then financially embarrassed. He resolved ou an 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



127 



efficient county government, yet to be confined 
within the limits of the annual tax levy. Among 
the means to effect this was the reduction of 
roads and bridge outlays. Tiie law provided for 
road labor, but the Supervisors disregarded it or 
slighted it. Heat once prepared and sent a printed 
synopsis of the road laws to each .Supervisor with 
the remark tliat as trustee administering a public 
trust it was the duty of the Supervisor to keep 
an account of each hour's faithful work by eacli 
road liand and to report under oath, and that he 
would lie ijcrsonall}- held for each hour's road 
labor lost by reason of iiis neglect as Supervisor. 
An improvement of the roads was soon manifest. 
The finances at tiiat time did not justify exten- 
sive bridge building, but he encouraged the build- 
ing of bridges, neighborhoods or persons especially 
to be benefited agreeing to contribute timber 
(which was then abundant) and labor, and the 
county furnishing the plans and such materials as 
required cash outlays. B^' these and other re- 
trenchments the appropriations rarely exceeded 
the income, and county orders were as desirable 
as current bank notes. He continued .Judge until 
his removal from the county in 1853. In 1844, 
whilst the militia system still prevailed, he was 
elected and commissioned JIajor, and presided at 
the Military Court held at Alton in 1847. 

In 184G, the banks of the slate having failed, 
and the stale being weighed down b\' an immense 
debt incurred .as a result of having established a 
system of railroads and attempting to build the 
same, repudiation of the state debt was agitated. 
Judge Dale strenuously opposed repudiation, con- 
tending that extravagance consequent on expan- 
sion of the currency had caused the debt, but that 
with a reasonable increase of population and with 
a needed reduction of expenditures, such as could 
be effected through a constitutional convention, 
the debt could be paid with very little additional 
burden to the taxpayers. A constitutional con- 
vention convened in 1847. He was elected a 
member and labored incessantly with the .active 
friends of reform in incorporating into the new 
conslilutiou such retrenchment of expenditures 
and such provisions for the future as assured the 
gradual reduction of the public debt, and made 



the new constitution acceptable and welcome to 
the people. He was appointed a member of the 
legislative committee, subsequently' of the commit- 
tee on internal improvements, and at the close of 
the session was one of the committee to prepare 
the address of the convention to the people of 
the state. 

In Ma3', 1853, Judge Dale was appointed by 
President Pierce Register of the United Stales 
Land Oflice at Edwardsville, 111., and acted .as such 
until the removal of the office to Springfield in 
1857. From December, 1857, until December, 
1865 (two terms), he filled the office of Judge of 
Madison County. As to that part of his duties 
which relates to the management of the county 
finances, it is stated in the published histor}' of the 
county that during his first term of administration 
"the affairs of the county were conducted with great 
prudence and rigid economy; and without increase 
of tax rates all current expenses were met and the 
interest-bearing debt materially reduced; and dur- 
ing his second term the regular county exjjenses 
were fully met, leaving even a sur|)lus, notwith- 
standing the great depreciation of the greenback 
dollar." During his second term a large meeting 
of citizens, at which he w.as called to preside, asked 
county approiniation for special counties and for 
providing for the needy families of the absent 
volunteer soldiers. The history states that for 
this purpose over $108,000 w.as raised by special 
tax during his second term, and adds: "The war 
debt was paid off before the war had ended, a 
difficult task, but prudent government and ready 
tax paying accomidished it." From December, 
1874, to December, 1886, he again served as Coun- 
ty Judge, thus holding judicial position for over 
thirty-three years. In 1855, when Judge Sidney' 
Breese was elected Circuit Judge, he appointed 
him, unsolicited, Master in Chancery for Madison 
Count3', and he held the position until 1863. 

In May, 1849, at Vandalia, Judge Dale was 
united in marriage with Margaret M. Ewing. Her 
grandfather. Finis Ewing, was one of the founders 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and her 
other grandfather. Col. E. C. Ben-}', was the first 
Auditor of Accounts of this state. Her father. 
Gen. W. L. D. Ewing, was Acting Governor of 



128 



PORTRAIT AM) liUK^.RAl'IIICAL RECORD 



this state in 1834. Kwing Dale, the oldest child 
of this inaiTiage, died while practicing medicine 
in Kansiis in 1873. Fonr children are still liv- 
ing: James, Charles, Lee and Samuel. 

Judge Dale was an early and zealous advocate 
of the public school system of this stale, and has 
always taken an active part in educational mat- 
ters, lie has been for the last thirty-five years a 
member of the IJoard of Directors or of the Board 
of Ivlucation in the city of Edwardsvlllc, and 
for tiflcen yeare has served as President of the 
Koard of Education, lie is now at that lime of 
life when only it is said men enjoy their faculties 
with pleasure and satisfaction, and in his years 
there is still Ihe vigor of youth. Referring to his 
unusual vitality, the Greenville Adcocate, whose 
editor had received piom|illy from liim infornia- 
lion sought as to business Iransactions conducted 
by him lifly-one years previously, suggests editori- 
ally that lifly-one years is a long lime for a busi- 
ness man to remember business tran.sactit)ns, but 
adds, "few men remain active, healthy, comfort- 
able and highly respected as does Judge M. G. 
Dale, of Edwardsville." The Intellifjciicer, of Fa\- 
wardsville, in mcnlioniiig the fact that he had 
held numerous public jiusitions extending througli 
.so many years, and had been so largely idenlitied 
with county and slate affairs that his biogia()hical 
sketch was part of history, notes that of the one 
hundred and si.\ly-two members wiio composed 
llie Stale Constitutional Coiivcnlion of 1847 he 
is one of the probably less than ten now surviv- 
ing. It also says, "that coming here on entering 
upon the slate of manhocKl and possessed with 
ability, ambition and a tireless industry, he h.as 
been a prominent figure in all that has contributed 
to growth and progress, and to the young man 
his career at all stages has many an example 
worthy of emulation." 

Although indulging in lileraiy compositions 
only as a pastime. Judge Dale has freely responded 
on invitation from numerous college, literary and 
other associations, his last public address being de- 
livered at Ft. Gage on the occasion of the unveil- 
ing of the monument erected by the slate to the 
dead at Kaskaskia July 1, 181*3. This address 
had extensive circulation by reason of its appear- 



ing in full in several prominent |)ublications in 
the state and of the interest of the peo[)le of Illi- 
nois in a town so ancient and distinguished — the 
seat of government of the territory and of the 
state, with its sad fate — destroyed by Hood and 
buried in the river. 



^^^I1R1ST1AN L. MAKCIITLKN, tlie Iciding 
(■( r l'''olograpIier in Iligliland, is i-onducling a 
^^^ lucrative business and is (.•iassod among the 
substantial business men of the place, lie is also 
well and favorably known as a public-spirited and 
enterprising citizen, to whom the welfare of the 
coniiiiunity is a matter of interest. 

A native of Germany, which country has con- 
tributed to this count}' so many of her ablest 
and most successful citizens, Mi\ Maechtleii was 
born in Wurteinberg, .September 27, 1817. Mis 
father, Cluislian, was also liorn in the Fatherland, 
where he was a small farmer. He, however, emi- 
grated to America in 1852, when our subject was 
a lad of five years, and located in .Milwaukee, 
Wis., where he was engaged in tlie 1 iinilier business 
until his decease, which event oeeuired in 1875. 
The mother of our subject, who befoie her mar- 
riage was known as Miss Elizalietli Siluniiaeher. 
was also reared in Germany and aeci^mpanied 
her husband tin the journey to llie New World. 
She survived onl}' three years thereafter, leaving 
at her death three children. 

Our subject was the eldest of the parental fam- 
ily and has a brollier and sister sliil living;; the 
former, Frank, is now a resident of Minneapolis, 
Minn., and Hannah is the wife of Louis Selimidl, a 
grocery merchant in Milwaukee. Our subject was 
reared and educated in the Cream City, and when 
(juile young entered a printing oflice to learn the 
art preservative. When nineteen years of age he 
apprenticed himself to learn the photographic bus- 
iness, and after mastering his profession opened a 
gallery in Milwaukee, which he conducteil iiiilil 
1870. 

In the above year Mr. iMacchllen eaiiie to High- 
land; here he has since been engaged as a success- 



'>,! 

m 




/^■y0 



(*• 




JUDGE JOHN C. IRWIN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



131 



ful photogiaplier and is considered by ail wlio arc 
any judi^e of line woik as one of the best artists 
in the state. In 1872 he was nianied to Miss 
Carrie Marxcr, a native of Ihiscit^'. She departed 
this life in 1885, leaving a son, Edward, a young 
man who is engaged in business with his father. 

In social affairs our subject is a Mason, and for 
some time held the ollice of Master in his lodge. 
Ho is connected with the Order of Equity, in 
which ho has been Counselor, and likewise holds 
nieuibershii) in the Turner and Shooting Societies. 
Our subject has worked from the bottom of the 
ladder u|), and is a worthy example, as ho has 
risen from a j)oor lioy to be one of the most sub- 
stantial citizens of the county. 

Mr. Maeclitleu is a Republican in |)olities and 
has been a member of the party since attaining his 
majority. He is a great lover of tlowers, and it 
is no unjust praise when we say that he has the 
finest tropical garden in thestateand probably has 
the greatest variety of rare cactus plants to be 
found in any one garden. It is also a source of 
pride to the people of llighland, and its owner 
takes great interest in oxitlaining the different va- 
rieties contained therein to the stranger as well as 
to his intimate friends. 



+^ 



=+ 



/OHN GORDON IRWIN ranks as one of the 
leading lawyers of his county and district. 
He has long been identified with the his- 
tory of Edwardsville, has occupied a prom- 
inent place in ijublic affairs, and has taken an ac- 
tive and commendable intmest in ihe advancement 
and welfare of his native city and county. He 
was born in Edwardsville January 21, 1812. His 
father, .John Irwin, was a native of County Mona- 
glian. Ireland, and was the second son of Samuel 
and Isabella (Gordon) Irwin, both of whom were 
of Scotch -Irish descent. 

The great-grandfather of .lohn (i. Irwin was 
also named .'^amuel Irwin, and was the son of 
2 



James Irwin, who was the lirst ancestor of the sub- 
ject of this sketch to settle in County Monaglian. 
He is said to have come from County Cavan, Ire- 
land, and his ancestors from Scotland. James had 
three sons, Samuel, John and David. Samuel and 
his descendants occuiiied the family estate, a town 
called "Acres," until about twenty years ago, 
when, upon the death of John Irwin, the last of 
the family to occupy it, Thomas Irwin, his oldest 
sou, emigrated to Ontario, Canada. His younger 
brothers and sisters had preceded him to Ontario, 
and all the descendants of that Iiranch of the fam- 
ily' are now there. .John, the second son of .James 
Irwin, returned to Scotland, where his descendants 
still reside. David, the 3"oungest son of Janu^s, 
emigrated to this country, and the connection be- 
tween him and the other two branches of the fam 
ily was lost. 

During the latter part of the first half of the 
eighteenth century a colony of Scotch-Irish from 
the [irovince of Ulster, Ireland, came to this coun- 
try and settled in Mecklenburg County, N. C. A 
Mr. Irwin, whose first name is unknown, was one 
of that colony. It seems certain that he emigrated 
from Ireland to the Mecklenburg settlement in 
1748, and went from there to Georgia in 1757, 
when his youngest son, Jared, was seven years old. 
He had a daughter, Margaret, and three sons, 
William, John and Jared. His descendants became 
very inoniinent in the history of Georgia. From 
what is known of the history of this branch of the 
family it seems very probable that if the ISIocklen- 
burg colonist was not James Irwin's son David, he 
iilust have been a near relative. "Sherwood's 
Gazetteer of the State of Georgia" contains a bi- 
ographical sketch of Jared Irwin, fiom which we 
learn that he sat in the first legislature which con- 
vened after the independence of the United States 
was established ; that he was several years Presi- 
dent of the Senate of Georgia; that he was twice 
delegate to conventions to revise the constitution 
of his state, and was chosen President of one of 
these bodies; that he was twice Governor of Geor- 
gia; and that he took a conspicuous part in the 
Revolutionary War, serving on the frontier, and 
attained the rank of IJrigadier-General of militia. 
His descendants and the descendants of his two 



132 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



brothers have, many of them, been prominent in 
the military ami civil histori' of Georj;;ia. 

John Irwin, father of our subject, was a weaver. 
AVhcn eighteen years old he eame to this country, 
whore he followed his trade, lirsl in New York 
City, and afterward in Piiiladclphia. In 1836 he 
came to Edwardsville, whore for several years he 
was a partner of Eraslus Wheeler in the business 
of manufacturing and selling fanning mills, then 
a new and useful invention. In Jul}', 181'J, while 
away from home on a business trip, he died of 
cholera, which was tlicii epidemic in this part of 
the country. lie took an active interest in politics, 
and was a Whig. In religious belief he was a 
Presbyterian. lie married Elizabeth Thompson 
Powers, a native of Ballimore, Md., but whose 
parents were Scotch-Irish. She survived him and 
afterward nuuriod Daniel A. Lanternian, whom 
she also survived. She died in 1874, leaving four 
children, tlie others besides our subject being, 
Samuel P., now a resident of Los Angeles, Cal.; 
Mary I)., wife of II. C. Lanternian, of P^dwards- 
ville; and Josoi>li F., who died in October, 1871. 
leaving two children, a son and dauglitor, Frank 
and Clara, bulli residents of Lincoln, Nel). 

Judge Irwin's early boyhood antedates the in- 
troduction of free schools in Madison County. He 
spent several years in attendance upon iirivate and 
|)arochial schools, and in them obtaine<l a thorough 
rudimentary education. He also attended the old 
Edwardsville Academy, whidi would not compare 
to disadvantage with the graded public schools of 
to-day. He had his plans laid to attend college 
when the war broke out, but like many otht'r 
young men of that time, concluded to lake a three 
years' course of study in a practical military 
school. He enlisted August l'.», 1861. in Company 
1, Ninth Illinois Infantry, and remained in the 
service until August 20, 1864, when he was mus- 
tered out at Springfield, 111. His companj' and 
regiment entered the service at Cairo, III., went 
thence to Padueah, K}'., and participated with 
Grant's forces in the campaign which resulted in 
the taking of Fts. Henry and Donelson, Nashville, 
Tenn., and Corinth, Miss. In that campaign the 
memorable battles of P't. Donelson and Pittsburg 
Landing were fought, the Ninth Illinois partici- 



pating and taking a bloody part in the forefront of 
the light. Its losses in killed and wounded were 
among the greatest known to the annals of war. It 
also participated in the second battle of Corinth, 
Miss., where it again took [lart in front of the lines 
during the two days of sanguinary defense of one 
of the most important strategic points of the seat of 
the war. This battle resulted in a disastrous re- 
pulse of the oni my, who greatly outnumlicred the 
LTnion forces. 

Afterward the Ninth Illinois w.is mounted and 
served to the end of the war as mounted infantry. 
It was occupied during the spring and summer of 
18G;3 in scouting and raiding service in West 
Tennessee, northern Mississippi and Alabama, with 
hoadtiuarters at Pocahontas, Tenn. In the fall of 
that year it was transferred to Athens, Ala., whore 
its head<iuarters were during a part of the fall ;uh1 
winter. From Athens it crossed the Tenno.ssoo 
River in Hal boats and captured Decatur, a forti- 
fied post of the enemy, and reniained there until 
the opening of the Atlanta campaign. From that 
time to the close of the war it was with Sherman 's 
army, taking an active and conspicuous part in 
the inarches, battles and skirmishes of that groat 
niovemcnt which resulted in the fall of Atlanta, 
and was followed by the march to the sea, the 
campaign of the Carolinasand the liiial collapse of 
the Cunfederacy. 

Judge Irwin was blessed with the best of hoalth 
and never missed a dut}' on account of sickness 
during his three 3'ears of service. He was in all 
the marches, raids, skirmishes, battles and sieges in 
which his regiment was engaged, with the excep- 
tion of the battle of Shiloli, and the cavalry en- 
gagements at Salem, Miss., and at Moullon villo, 
Ala. The reason that he was not at Shiloli was 
bccau.so of disabling wounds received at Ft. Donel- 
son, from which ho luni not recovered. He re- 
turncil to his rogiiiiont as soon as ho hoard o{ the 
battle, before his furlough expired, and before his 
Donelson wounds had healed, to do what he could 
for his brother and other comrades of his conii>a!iy, 
and relieve the anxiety of friends at home about 
them. The siege of Corinth followed the battle, 
antl he participated in that, resuming his duties .as 
soon as he arrived upon the tield. The engage- 



PORTRAIT AND ]5I0GRAPinCAL RECORD. 



133 



ment at Moultonville occurred while he was at 
home on a recruiting furlough in the winter of 
1864. The engagement at Salem, Miss., he did 
not take part in because he had been sent by Col- 
onel Phillips, in charge of a force of six men, as 
bearer of important dispatches to Grand Junction, 
Tenn., the object being to obtain re-enforceraents to 
rescue his regiment from imminent peril of being 
captured by a force of the enem}', which greatly 
outnumbered them, and was threatening attack. 
He got through with all his men, dispersing two 
different squads of rebel cavalry, who undertook 
to intercept him on the way, and captured two 
prisoners, one of whom was compelled to act as 
guide, at the point of a pistol, with the understand- 
ing that he would be shot upon the first sign 
of danger, and was thereby persuaded to pilot his 
captors to their destination by a safe route through 
a country infested with Confederate cavalr3'. The 
enemy attacked before the re-enforcements arrived, 
but the disjjatches reached Grand Junction in as 
quick time as it was possible to make. Colonel 
Phillips extricated his command with great dilH- 
culty in a retreating fight with tlie loss of several 
of his men. 

This episode illustrates the kind of service in 
which the Ninth Illinois Regiment was engaged 
after it was mounted. Skirmishes and battles were 
of almost weekly occurrence. Judge Irwin en- 
listed as a private when nineteen years old. He 
was promoted to the rank of a Sergeant, but it not 
infrequently happened m the vicissitudes of the 
Civil AVar that non-commissioned ollicers were 
called upon to perform the duties of ollicers of 
higher rank. He was honored by his superiors 
with this kind of confidence in a number of in- 
stances, and was twice offered a commission but 
declined, once because he considered the promotion 
due to a superior, then a prisoner of war, and the 
other time because acceptance involved re-eulist- 
nient, and as the war was then praclicall}' ended he 
desired to return home for the purpose of prepar- 
ing himself for a professional life. 

About four months after his return from the 
army, in Decemiwr, 1864, Judge Irwin began to 
study law under the tutelage of Judge David Gil- 
lespie. Two years later he was examined for ad- 



mission to the Bar, and on the 30th of January, 
1867, was licensed by the Supreme Court. During 
the first year of his practice he was in partnership 
with Hon. A. W. Metcalf. He then retired from 
the firm of Metcalf & Irwin, and entered into 
partnership with William H. Krorne, the style of 
tiie firm being Irwin ife Krome. This pai-tnership 
continued until April, 1874. In March of that 
year a vacancy in the office of County Judge of 
Madison County occurred, caused by the death, in 
a tragic way, of Judge William T. Brown. No 
nominations were made to fill this vacanc^y, but 
Judge M. G. Dale, a former incumbent of the office, 
Judge A. H. Gambrill, of the City Court of Alton, 
and .John G. Irwin, all became candidates for the 
office. The latter was declared elected by a plu- 
rality of two votes, Judge Dale being second in 
the race, according to the returns. The latter con- 
tested the election. In the Circuit Court the con- 
test was decided in favor of Irwin, but on appeal 
to the Supreme Court tliis judgment was reversed 
and Judge Dale was declared to be entitled to the 
office. The contest turned upon the question of 
the right of certain students of Shurlleff College, 
in Upper Alton, to vote. Tiie fallibility of human 
judgment, and even of men who would feign be 
considered sages and statesmen, is well illustrated 
b}- the fact that by the opinion of Judge Breese in 
this case, men who were married and resided with 
their families in Upper Alton, and who after grad- 
uation continued to live there, and some of whom 
have since died there, and who were born citizens 
of the United States, and v^crc over twenty-one 
years old, were disfranchised for the purposes of 
tliat election, for the sole reason that they were 
students; and this regardless of their sworn declar- 
ations that Upper Alton was their home, and of 
other facts and circumstances which should have 
controlled the decision of the court. 

AVhile Judge Irwin was the incumbent of the 
office, he gave his time diligently to the settlement 
of a number of quite complicated estates. Previ- 
ous to that the County Judge had been not only 
the Judge of Probate, but the presiding Judge of 
the County Commissioners' Court, to the duties of 
which position more attention had been given 
than to probate matters. Among the important 



134 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



cases upon whicU lie was c.illeil to pass judgment 
was the scllleineiil (if the estjile of his predecessor, 
against whicii tlie eoiiiity liad filed a large claim 
for public funds wliich iiad not previously been 
accounted for. Tlie case was under investigation 
for nearly two years, and resulted in a judgment 
for the cl.iimant for upward of ?39,000. IJeing a 
CISC in wiiioli tiie public interests were involved, a 
few of the partisan friends of the deceased were at 
lii-st disposed to criticise the amount of the judg- 
ment, l)ut the law gave an appeal and the right of 
a trial de novo. An appeal was taken, not on the 
ground that the amount of judgment was exces- 
sive, but because of the classilication of the claim, 
giving it preference on the theory that the claim 
was for trust funds. The judgment was affirmed 
by the Circuit Court, and this ended the c.ise. A 
written opinion was rendered by Judge Irwin, an 
examination of which will show that the estate 
got the benefit of all contested items of doubtful 
credits, and that the judgment could not ha-ve 
been smaller without doing violence to well settled 
rules of law. There was no contention as to the 
amount of money and funds which had gone into 
the hands of the deceased, and the burden of proof 
was upon his administrators to show what had been 
done with it. The judgment represents what they 
were unable to account for after a long protracted 
and searching investigation of all evidence that 
could be found, in which investigation the repre- 
sentatives of the estate had the assistance of the 
best of counsel, who were favored b3' the court with 
all the time they asked to do their work; and they 
did it as thoroughly and faithfully as it could be 
done. 

Upon retirement from ollice the political oppo- 
nents of .Judge Irwin publicly acknowledged that 
Lis administration had been impartial and fair, in 
a judicial sense, and his record highly creditable 
to hira in point of ability and integril}*. He 
pa^ed upon many important and intricate cases, 
and there were few appeals from his decisions, 
and none of them were reversed. After retirement 
from the Judge's ollice he resumed the practice of 
law, entering into partnership with K. C. Springer, 
under the firm name of Irwin A- Springer. This 
partnership continueil until 1882, since which time 



he has had no [)artiH'r. lie has now had twenty- 
seven years' experience as a lawyer, lie has a select 
practice and a clientage whoshow their faith in him 
by the waj' in which they stick to him. He con- 
fines his practice to civil cases, having an aversion 
to the criminal practice. With this exception he 
is an "all-round" lawyer, as indeed all lawyers 
outside of the large cities must l)e to make a re- 
spectable living out of their practice. He excels 
in his familiai-ity with the principles of ecpiit^', 
jurisprudence, and of the civil branch of the com- 
mon law, and is considered an expert corporation 
lawyer, though he is as often on the side opposite 
to the corporations as on tlieir side of cases. He 
has been one of the most successful practitioners 
of his county and district and is devoted to his 
profession. 

liefore he was old enough to vote, Judge Irwin 
became an ardent Republican. His first vote was 
cast for Abraham Lincoln, and until 1872 he con- 
sidered it unpatriotic and disloyal to the coun- 
try to vote any other ticket. Since that time he 
has not felt that way about his allegiance to party, 
but has often scratched his ticket, and has pursued 
an independent course in jwlitics. He thinks it is 
often better to vote for the best man rather than 
to cling to partj', especially in the choice of local 
representatives in administrative and judicial otli- 
ces. This view is the result of what he has been 
disposed to regard as a growing tendency to abuse 
l)arty organization to promote the personal and 
selfish ends of politicians whose ambition and 
greed for ollice override all considerations of the 
public weal. But he has always been and still is a 
believer in the fundamental ideas and principles 
of the Government wiiich gave rise to the Repub- 
lican party and sliai)ed its course during the Civil 
War and the period of reconstruction, and is in the 
main in hearty accord with its record upon Hnaii- 
cial and economic (juestions. He has not appruved 
its policy in other respects, and has not voted or 
acted with it at times when he thought there were 
issues of greater iin|)ortaiK'e than it chose to make. 
He identified himself with the I'roliiliition party 
in two or three campaigns, and w:is active in its 
support, and was once its candidate for the ollice of 
State Treasurer. l!ut he does not i)ropose to tie 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



135 



himself to that party nor to any party any longer 
than he deems their policy best calculated to pro- 
mote the general welfare; and this involves faith 
in its ability, sooner or later, to become dominant 
and shape the laws and public polic}' of the state 
and nation. Without a reasonable hope that this 
can be accomplished, no party has an excuse for 
long continued existence under a popular system 
of Government. 

March 23, 1869, Judge Irwin married Nancy M., 
daughter of Bezaleel and Iluldah M. (Baldwin) 
Day. His wife was a native of the state of New 
York, in which state her mother was also born. Her 
father was a native of Connecticut. Her ances- 
tors on both sides came to this country long before 
the Revolutionary War. Her father and mother 
came to Edwardsville in 1867, but she came three 
3'ears before them. She had a j'ounger sister who 
also lived here and died in 1877. Thej' are ail 
dead, and are remembered in Edwardsville as de- 
vout Christians, of the tolerant and practical, more 
than of the dogmatic and doctrinal pattern, 
though they were orthodox in their belief. They 
lived beautifully consistent and exemplary lives, 
and when called awa}- were sincerel}' mourned by 
the entire community and are still held in remem- 
brance as patterns of all the nobler virtues. 

The Judge is. a member of the Knights of Honor 
and the Grand Armj' of the Republic. He was 
called upon to deliver the address on Decoration 
D.ay, in 1892, and his earnest and eloquent words 
were a high tribute to the boys in blue. He said: 
'• To-daj' the nation assembles to do grateful honor 
to the memory of its heroic dead. In its origin 
Decoration Day was perhaps intended to keep 
fresh the memory of only those who fell in defense 
of the Union, but by common consent it has been 
conceded that it should be made to commemorate 
the achievements of all who have offered up life 
for country, whether in the great civil conflict or 
in any previous war. None more freely make this 
concession than the veterans of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, who most heartily yield the first 
honors to their predecessors in arms." He then 
spoke of the Revolutionary heroes, who achieved 
American independence and were the founders of 
the most glorious country upon the face of the 



globe; of those who fouglit in the War of 1812, 
alluding to the fact that Madison County sent its 
companies into the service; and of those who fought 
upon the frontier in the Black Hawk War. " The 
soldiers of these two wars fought not tor conquest, 
not to gratify ambition, but to reclaim a wilderness 
and establish civilization. Their descendants 
dwell with us to this da3' and join in the ceremo- 
nies intended to perpetuate the memory of their 
names and achievements." He spoke of the valiant 
part borne by Madison Count3' heroes in the Mex- 
ican Wai-, and then passed on to the war of the 
Union, saying: "The call of the Governor of this 
state for the first regiments enlisted bears even date 
with the first call of the President. Madison 
County was represented in the first regiment sent 
to the front, and altogether sent four thousand, 
two hundred and twent^'-one men. Iler represent- 
atives were found in all important engagements, 
and with such alacrity did our boys rally round 
the flag that sixteen regiments sprang to arms 
when only six were called for. These facts tell of 
a spirit of patriotism which was exuberant, spon- 
taneous and abiding." Judge Irwin then quoted 
statistics showing that Madison County more than 
bore its part in the struggle for the supremacy of 
the Union, and added: '"What the army to which 
our volunteers belonged accomplished has never 
been and never can be told in more terse or elo- 
quent language than was used bj' General Grant, 
who said: 'Your marches, sieges and battles, in dis- 
tance, duration and brilliancy of results dim the 
luster of tiie world's past military achievements.' 
With such a record as our volunteers have made is 
it not well that we meet from year to year to 
honor their dead? They are insensible to what we 
say or do, but may the living not learn the lessons 
of patriotism and devotion to countrj' which in 
some future time of their country's need may in- 
spire them to valiant deeds in its service.' May 
the influence of Decoration Day promote the 
principles for which our dead gave their lives and 
keep alive the spirit which gave birth to our na- 
tion, extended its dominion over the territory ac- 
quired from Jlexico, and preserved the Union in 
the Civil War." 

Judge Irwin is built in a large mould, physically 



mfi 



POUTIIAIT AND I'.lOGliArillCAL llECORD. 



:iii(l ini'iitnlly. lie is a in;ui of (li<;nific(l |iiosciu'f, 
of _i;eiii;il, social naliUT, foii<l of good liooks aixl old 
friends, lie is .1 successful lawyer, an altlo .Iudn;e 
and as a citizen is much esteemed and respected. 



•~^ y 




\>^^<m^- 



,,J LSEY S. SMAlv'l', a retired farmer living 
iOl ill Tin Oak Township, is one of the self- 
(i made men of the county, who tlirf)ngh 
enterprise and industry has worked his 
way U|)ward to a position among the suhstantial 
citizens of this part of the county, and fc)r his 
success in life he deserves great credit, lie was 
born in .larvis Township, this county, September 
23, 1827, and is the son of Henry 15. Smart, who 
in turn was a son of Laben Smart, an old Kevo- 
lutionary soldier and a native of North Carolina. 
The great-grandfather of our subject bore the 
name of I'eter Smart, and Alsey S. has in his pos- 
session an old Bible published in Edinburgh, Scot- 
land, in 17(19, which was the property of that 
gentleman. Laben Smart was born November 9, 
1750, and was one of a family of six children. 
His wife, who prior to her marriage was Susan 
Simmons, was also born in North Carolina, but 
came with her husband to this state and departed 
this life on a farm in Madison County. The re- 
moval of Laben Smart and Ids family to Illinois 
took place in 181C, the journey' being made from 
Kentucky. They located in .larvis Township, and 
soon thereafter removed to a piece of land in 
I'in Oak Township. He was a Democrat in poli- 
tics and aided greatl3' in the upbuilding of this 
part of the county. He followed agriculture dur- 
ing his entire life, but always found lime to for- 
ward any movement which would bonelit those 
about him. 

The father of our subject was also a native of 
North Carolina and came with his parents to Illi- 
nois, where he grew to mature years and spent 
the rest of his life, dying in this town.ship when 
in his eighty-second year. His wife w.as born in 
Kentucky November 2(», ISOO. anrl after becom- 



ing the mother of a family of eight children de- 
parted this life, when over seventy-two years of 
age. Of the family, two sons and two daughters 
are still living. 

The maternal grandfutluM- of C)ur subject was 
Henry Thompson, a native of Kentucky, where 
he died. His wife, whose maiden was IJay, was 
also a native of that state, and tliere entered into 
rest. After their decease their daughter came to 
Illinois, in IKIH, when twelve years of ago, in 
company with the family of Thonuis llay. Also}- 
S., of this sketch, received his education in the 
schools of the neighborhood, and remained under 
the parental roof until his marriage with the ex- 
ception of the time spent in California. This trip 
.across the plains was made in 1850, and tlie jiarly 
w.as live months on the road. t)ur subject re- 
mained two years in the Golden State, when he 
returned home by way of New Orleans and St. 
Louis. He w.as (piite successful during that time, 
and from the means thus obtained got his start in 
life. 

The marriage of Mr. Smart occurred December 
7, 1854, at which time Miss Hhoda (Juiger became 
his wife. She was born in this county and de- 
parted this life when only twenty-seven years of 
age, leaving two children. Jcrusha, now the wife 
of George W. Anderson, lives on a portion of her 
father's farm; an<l Sallie is at home with her fa- 
ther. Mrs. Rlioda Smart was the daughter of Jo- 
seph and Nancj' Guiger, who lived and died in 
this county, as also did their parents before them. 

The second union of our subject occurred Oc- 
tober 20, 1864, and the l.-idy whom he chose .as his 
companion was Mary .1. .losl^'n. She was also a 
native of this state, and died when in her thirty- 
third year, leaving a son, Ilenrj- W., who is now 
the husband of Mary Noll. Soon after his first 
union he located upon a portion of the farm 
which is now included in tlio old homestead, and 
lived there until 1H,')8, when he erected thereon 
his present commodious residence. 

Mr. Smart is well known in political circles, 
being a stanch Democrat, and for twelve years 
lilled the ollice of Justice of the Pe.ice. He was 
for four j'ears Supervisor, and for nian\- tciins 
School Director and Trustee. The fainiU' are 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



137 



prominent and well known as honest and upright 
people and move in the best circles of society in 
their section. 

At one time our subject owned a beautiful es- 
tate of three hundred and twenty acres, but he 
has since disposed of a portion of it, still retain- 
ing, however, two hundred acres. During the 
earlier years of his life he w.as hard working and 
industrious, and he is wid'ely known for his strict 
intcgrit3' in all his business affairs, his word being 
considered as good as his bond. Socialh', he is a 
Mason, and many years ago w.as Master of the 
Count}' Grange. 



l(i). .^#Ws.._.. _®) 



■^ l*,JLMAM liUSUMVVOKlll has marte hi; 
\rJ/j home on the old homestead in Edwards 
^^ ville Township, Madison County, since liii 



vILLIAM BOSOMWORTII has made his 

rds- 
lis 

marriage in 1863, with the exception of two years. 
He is a native of Yorkshire, England, and was 
born May 21, 1840, to Robert and Anna (Porter) 
Bosomworth. His father was also born in the 
above place, November 8, 1808, and was there 
reared to mature years on a farm. 

The elder Mr. and Mrs. Bosomworth emigrated 
with a family of seven children to the United States 
in 1853, making their home in Springfield, Ohio, 
where the father was emplo3-ed in cutting wood at 
fifty cents a cord. He was afterward variously 
employed, and in 1854 removed toLynnville, this 
state, where he rented a farm. Mr. Bosomworth 
was engaged in its cultivation until the spring of 
1856, when we find him in this county, where he 
rented property for ten years; he then purchased 
a quarter-section, where our subject is living at the 
present time. He departed this life January 3, 
1894, when in the eighty-sixth j'ear of his age. 
His life was honorable and upright, and his sterl- 
ing worth and many excellencies of character 
gained him the high regard of all with whom he 
was brought in contact. His good wife is also de- 



ceased, having preceded him to the better land 
several years, dying July 6, 1888. 

The original of this sketch has two brothers and 
two sisters living, and the eldest of the familj', 
John, died in the Old Country. William was 
reared to .agricultural pursuits, and w.as married 
October 28, 1853, to Miss Mary J. Fairbridge, also 
a native of England, having been born in New- 
c.astle-on-the-Tyne, Jul}- 8, 1834. She was eight 
years of age when she accompanied her parents on 
the trip to America, they making their home for a 
time in St. Louis, where the father w.as engaged as 
a foundryman. Mrs. Bosomworth was the daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Eleanor (Morton) Fairbridge, 
also natives of England, the former having been 
born February 13, 1810, and the Latter June 2, 
1811. The mother is still living, making her home 
in the Jlound Cit}' with a son. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Bosomworth was born a family' 
of five children, of whom Anna B. married H. 
Shane; she died when twenty-four j'ears of age. 
Another child died when three days old. William 
Robert, born in 1867, married Louisa Zimmerman, 
and resides on the old home farm. Emma A., born 
in 1869, is the wife of Joseph M. Primas, who is a 
merchant in Glen Carbon, this state. J.ames M., 
the youngest of the famil>-, was born in 1872, and 
is residing at home with his parents. 

Our subject has always lived on the old home- 
stead with the exception of two years. The estate 
is under good tillage, and b}' a proper rotation of 
crops is made to yield a handsome income. In 
politics, our subject is independent, although 
having formerly voted the Republican ticket. He 
is also connected with the Grange, in which he 
takes a great interest. His entire famil3'are atten- 
dants at the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

When the family emigrated to the New World, 
they were eleven weeks on the trip, and at one 
time were nearly shipwrecked, as the boat sprung 
aleak and they were obliged to return to Liver- 
pool. There they boarded a new vessel, "The 
George Washington," which landed them in New 
York the day before Christmas. The father of 
our subject was a thorough Christian, and although 
confined to his bed for four years before his de- 
cease, was always cheerful and happy. During his 



138 



PORTIIAIT AND LIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



active years ho was a piil>Ho-s|>irilo(1 and pi'o£;ress- 
ivo cilizoii. aiul the hcsl inlerosls of the cninmii- 
lllt^' foiiiKl in hlin a fiiciii). 






ARMON II. EN(;KT>1N(;, the owner of one 
of I'in Oak's finel3' improved farms, was 
horn in Prussia, Germany, November 4, 
1838. He is tlic son of Harmon H. Engel- 
in*;, Sr., a native of Prussia, wlio was born in 1802. 
Tiie latter married Miss Margaret Seveng, whose 
birth occurred in 1810, and about seven years af- 
ter our subjectcame to America, tliey followed him 
to this country, settling near the pl.acc where he 
now resides. There both died, the father in 1874, 
at the age of seventy- two, and the mother Dceeni- 
lier III, 1887, aged sevcntj'-seven. 

The parental family consisted of eleven children, 
of whom three sons and two daughters are still 
living. He spent the years of his I)oyliood in his 
native land, whence in 18.54 he emigrated to 
America on the sailing-vessel "Wellaud." After 
a voyage of nine weeks he reached New Orleans, < 
and seven weeks later landed in St. Louis. In 
lliat city he was employed in a brick yard for one 
year, after which he worked on a farm by the 
month. 

August 25, 1864, Mr. Engcling was united in 
marriage with Rachel, daughter (.)f Harmon H. and 
Anna (McReady) WoUbrinck, of whom further 
mention is made in the sketch of Henry Woll- 
l)rinck on another page of this volume. Mrs. En- 
geling was born in Prussia Februarj' 22, 1839, and 
by her marriage has become the mother of seven 
children, as follows: Anna C. who w.is born March 
11, 18CG; Lizzie A. M., November 16, 1867; Dena 
A. E., .Tanuar}' 6, 1870; Frederick H., October 1, 
187;"); Minnie A. C, .lanuary 13, 1878; Henry, 
F'ebru.ary 1, 1881; and p:mnia R., March o, 1884. 
All are now living except Honry. who died at the 
ago of twelve years. 

Prior to his marriage our subject purchased and 
cleared a tract of eifjlitv acres. After his marriage 



he operated as a lenter, occupying a hou.sc lC>xIf> 
fool ill diiiionsiuiis, where for two years ho made 
his home. Later he spent two years in St. Louis, 
and upon his roturn to ALadison County sottlod 
upon the homestead which he now occupies. Here 
he has made all tlie improvements tobe found on a 
first-class estate, including a commodious and con- 
veniently arranged house. His landed possessions 
aggregate about two huhdred acres, the larger por- 
tion of which is under cultivation. 

The first ballot of Mr. Engeling was cast for 
Abraham Lincoln, and since that time he has given 
stanch support to the principles of the Republican 
party. With his wife ho holds membership in the 
German Methodist Episcopal Church. As a citi- 
zen ho is loyal to the land of his adoption, and the 
United States contains no man more faithful to its 
Government than he. 



_^] 



"^ 



^+^ 



>-Q^=^ 



_9 



^OIIN A. MILLER, who is well known in 
Madison County, where he li.as held many 
public ollices, has long been identified with 
the welfare of this locality, his home being 
in Bethalto. He h.as served as Justice of the Pe.ice 
and Coroner for a number of years, for two years 
was Supervisor of Wood River Township, and is 
also Notary Public. He has served accejitably for 
two terms as I'ostmaster, many years ago under 
Andrew Johnson and during Cleveland's first terra. 
Mr. Miller was born in IJaltimore June 23, 
1826, his parents being .Samuel L. .and Susan 
(Kirby) Miller. The paternal grandfather was a 
sailor and sea captain during nearly all of his life. 
Samuol L. Miller was a hrick-niakor by trade, and 
carried on a large manufactory of his own. Hav- 
ing lost his property in P.aitimore, he removed 
with his family to Illinois, landing in Alton with 
limited means, August 10, 1830. Ho was under 
commission to estalilish lodges of the Indopondent 
Oilier of Odd Follows at l^owcr Alton ."iiirl .St. 
Louis, and in pursuance of tliis plan located lodge 
No. 1, of Alton, known as the Western Star, and 




WM. P. BRADSHAW. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFX'ORD. 



141 



Travelers' Rest No. 1, of St. Louis. He was made 
first Grand Secretary of the First Grand Lodge of 
Illinois in 1838. He had become a member of the 
order .as early .is 1820. lie probably burnt the 
first lime kiln in Alton, and also made some of the 
first brick. He removed his family to Sweet's 
Prairie in 1840. There he purchased land on 
which he lived until his death, accumulating a 
good property. At the time of his demise, which 
occurred .at the age of seventy-six years, he was 
the oldest member of the Odd Fellows' society in 
the United States. 

The mother of our subject was married in Balti- 
more, and in her family were five children, three 
sons and two daughters, Samuel K. and our sub- 
j_eet being the only ones now living, all of the 
others having died of cholera in one week. The 
mother died in Baltimore when our subject w.as a 
lad of six years. His father afterward married 
Mary Beck, b}' whom he had two children, Fannie 
and George W. The lady, who is now in her 
eighty-first year, survives her husband and is a 
resident of Bethalto. 

.lohn A. Miller was educated in the common 
schools of Madison County, and remained under 
the parental roof until his marriage in 1852. He 
had previously learned the brick-maker's trade, at 
which he had worked nine years. The lady who 
became his wife was formerly Mary E., daughter 
of Daniel and J.ane C. Ilagerman, all natives of 
Pennsylvania. Daniel Il.agernian was Clerk of 
Dearborn County, Ind., where he lived many years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the parents of six 
children, in order of birth as follows: Susannah J., 
deceased, formerly Mrs. Lewis Apple, of this city; 
Mar}' E., wife of Simon Kale}', of St. Louis; Emma 
F., who resides at home; Samuel L., in the employ 
of a railroad in Omaha, Neb.; Margaret A., wife 
of Fred Weidmer, of St. Louis; and John A., who 
died in childhood. 

It was in 1854 that Mr. Miller located in Bethal- 
to, where he engaged in making l)rick until 18C2. 
lie then enlisted in Company K, Eightieth Illi- 
nois Regiment, and was chosen Second Lieuten- 
ant. He returned from the service with a cap- 
tain's commission, after having bravely participated 
in over twenty regular engagements, among oth- 



ers being the battles of Perryville (Ky.), Kenesaw 
Mountain, Resaca (Ga.), and the battles of and 
around Atlanta, Lovejoj' Station, Lookout Moun- 
tain, Nashville and Franklin. On account of being 
sick, Mr. Miller escaped capture during Streight's 
raid. He was subsequently sent to Nashville to 
organize a regiment, w.as made Quartermaster and 
served for eight months. During his entire serv- 
ice he escaped being wounded, and was always 
prompti}' at his post. On his discharge at Spring- 
field, J\ine 10, 1865, he at once returned to his 
' family. 

Resuming his business affairs at Bethalto, Mr. 
Miller engaged in selling farm implements, and 
in shipping fruits. He erected the store which he 
now occupies. For about ten years he made the 
implement business his principal line, but has 
since taken up general merchandising. 

Our subject lost his wife in March, 1892. His 
present wife was formerly Miss Emily Green, 
daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth Green. Since 
its organization in 1867, Mr. Miller has been a 
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 
serving as Elder during this time, and has repre- 
sented his church in the general assemblies in 
Texas, Missouri and Illinois. Fraternally he is a 
charter member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, and took great interest in getting Bethal- 
to Lodge No. 735 organized, advancing money 
for the charter. He has represented his Grand 
Lodge, and has held all the chairs, at present being 
Chaplain of the lodge. He belongs to Bethalto 
Post No. 509, G. A. U., and in politics is a Demo- 
crat. 



t_^ON. WILLIAM P. BRADSHAW was born 
in Fairfield, W.ayne County, III., April 7, 
1846, being the son of Greenup and Mary 
(\^j (Boze) Bradshaw. His grandfather, Thomas 
Bradshaw, was a native of Kentucky and a slave- 
holder, but in 1812, becoming convinced that the 
institution of slavery was wrong, liberated his 
slaves and removed to Wayne Count}', III. There 
he entered a large tract of land and engaged in 
agricultural pursuits until his demise. His old 




142 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



homestead is still in the possession of the family. 

The father of our subject, Greenup P.radshaw, 
was Ixirn in Kentucky in IHOO, and died in Wayne 
County, 111., in 187G. His occupation throughout 
his active life was that of a farmer. In politics lie 
was lirst a Whig, hut after the debate between 
Lincoln and Douglas, in 1854. lie advocated Repul)- 
iican principles. His wife w.as a native of Ten- 
nessee anil died at the old homestead in 18',)l,at 
the age of seventy-nine. Both belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and the edilico in 
which they worshii)ed stood on their farm. 

Alternating attendance in tlie home schools 
with work upon the home farm our subject grew 
to manhood. At the age of nineteen he went to 
Lebanon and entered McKendree College, where 
he prosecuted his studies for three years and six 
months. Meantime, such was his energy, that he 
paid his own way by working mornings and even- 
inn's and during his vacations. Tn 18G9 he was 
graduated from McKendree College and came 
from there direct to Edwardsvillo, where lie en- 
tered the law ollicc of Dale A; Burnett. Wliilc at 
college he had commenced the study of law, wliich 
be continued in the otiice for two years, and was 
then admitted to the I'.ar by .ludge Joseph Gilles- 
pie, then Circuit Judge. 

Opening an oflice over the l)ank of West & 
Prickett, Jlr. Bradsliaw commenced the practice of 
law. In August, 1874, he formed a partnership 
with A. W. Metcalf, which connection continued 
until December, 188'.), and w.as then dissolved by 
mutual consent. Two years later Hon. M. (;. Dale 
was taken into partnership, and subsequently C. 
W. Terry came into the linn, which is now known 
as Dale, Bradshaw A- Terry. The firm is one of 
the ablest in southern Illinois. 

At Lexington, Mo., July 14, 1876, occurred the 
marri.age of William P. Bradshaw and Sallie II. 
Harrison. They became the parents of three 
chijdren, Courtney, Ernest and Courtlandt. The 
eldest son, a bright and promising boy, beloved by 
all who knew him, died of scarlet fever at Lexing- 
ton, Mo., in 1883, while his father w.as engaged in 
a law case in that city. 

From 1873 to 1879 Mr. Bradshaw was City At^ 
torney of Edwardsville, and was a member of the 



School Board for nine 3'ears. In politics a Re- 
l)ublican, he was for two years a member of the State 
Central Committee, also belonged to the County 
Executive Committee, and has long been a poten- 
tial factor in the politics of his district. Both by na- 
ture and by study he is well qualified for the pro- 
fession be h.as chosen. He is devoted to the law, 
and it h.as been his chief ambition in life to excel 
in his profession. His analytical mind quickl}- 
grasps at the legal points of cases presented to 
him and also readilj' detects any weakness in the 
case presented by his opponent. 

The trial of cases Mr. Bradshaw regards as an 
art, upon the mastery of which depends the suc- 
cess of an attorney. \lc never takes a case into 
court until he thoroughl}- understands it and then 
he brings out all the points necessary to a suc- 
cessful issue. He is a ready, lluent speaker and a 
strong advocate, commanding at all times the re- 
spect of the court and the confidence of the jury. 
He is dignified and ct)urteous to tiie Bench and 
Bar, and in the confiicts that arise in the trial of 
cases never loses his genial, gentlemanly bearing. 

As a neighbor and a citizen Mr. Ihadsiiaw is 
honorable and charitable and is ever ready to as- 
sist the poor and necd3'. As a companion he is 
interesting, possessing to a high degree the at- 
traction of a read3' conversationalist. Take him 
all in all he is an honor to his parents, to tlie com- 
munity, to the legal profession, to the state and 
the country. 



(^ 



L*7- 



zQ 



s®^ 



=r) 



m 



WIOIIN H. SMITH. Among the representa- 
tives of intelligence and moral worth in 
Pin Oak Township, the subject of this 
' sketch occupies no ordinary position. He 
is widely and favorably known, and is the pos- 
sessor of two hundred and seventj'-five acres in- 
cluded in the home farm, besides sixty acres in 
another part of the township. 

Mr. Smith was born in Frederick County, Va., 
January 2(), 1827, and is the son of James C. and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



143 



Elizabetli (DeAValt) Smith, the former of whom 
was also born in Frederick County. James Smith 
came witli his wife and eiglit eliildren to this 
stale in 1839, and located on a farm in Cla}' 
County, where he died when in his forty-fifth 
year. Ilis tract included a quarter-section of 
(it)vernmcnl land, which he worked very hard to 
pl.aue under tillage. His wife also departed this 
life on tliat estate when in her forty-first year. 

The |ialernal grandfather of our subject, Chris- 
topher Smith, was born in Germany, and on emi- 
grating to the United States, when a young man, 
located first in Virginia, and later took up his 
abode in Ohio, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. Ilis sons and daughters lived in the 
Buckeye State until the spring of 1839, when they 
disposed of the farm and removed to Indiana, 
and in the fall of that year came to this state, 
locating in CLay County. 

John II. Smith, of this sketch, was reared on 
the home farm, and after his father's death left 
home and began working out. He was thus em- 
ployed for seven years, when he engaged to work 
a farm on shares, and tw^o years later left Illinois 
and went to Arkansas, where he chopped cord- 
wood. In the fall of 1817 he went to St. Louis, 
and after a residence there of a short time came 
to this county on a hunting trip with an expert 
hunter, William R. Pierce. Their expedition lay 
in Alhambra Township, and in 1849 Mr. Smith 
came to the place where he is now living and 
worked out by the month. 

August 24, of the above .year, our subject and 
Miss Susannah Smart were united in marri.agc. 
The lad}' was born near her present home, and 
became the mother of twelve children, of whom 
lliose still living are, James II., Martha J., Will- 
iam A., Sydney L., Mary A., Itha R., John A. and 
Narrissa I. After his marriage Mr. Smith found 
that he had only $;J0 in money, and with this he 
made a payment on one hundred and sixteen 
.acres of land, whose onlj' improvement was a 
little log house, 16x20 feet in dimensions. In 
that they lived for three years, and then dispos- 
ing of this purchase, he became the proprietor of 
one hundred and ten acres included in his present 
farm. He engaged in mixed agriculture, improved 



the land and erected good buildings upon it, add- 
ing to the same from time to time until his landed 
possessions now aggregate three hundred and thir- 
ty-five acres. 

Mr. Smith is a self-made and self-educated man, 
as he was permitted to attend school only five 
days after coming to this state. Bj' means of nat- 
ural ability and energy he has accumulated a good 
propert}', and in this community he has a wide 
acquaintance and is held in high regard. His en- 
tire famil}' are members of the Baptist Church, 
in the workings of which they take an .active part. 



^ii^ ARTLEY LANHAM, the popular County 
* Clerk of Madison Count}', now living in 
Edwardsville, claims Missouri as the state 
of his nativity. He was born in St. Louis 
County January 7, 1832, and is a son of Hartley 
and ISIarj' (Dority) Lanham. His father was born 
in Lexington, Ky.,and about 1829 removed to St. 
Louis County, Mo. He served as one of the first 
Justices of the Peace of that county, and for many 
years was Associate Justice, thus serving until his 
death, which occurred in 1835. His wife passed 
away in 1841. She was a native of Virginia. He 
followed farming as a means of livelihood, and in 
politics was an old line Whig. In the family were 
four children: Wilson IL, now of Collinsville; 
Ellen, who died in 1843; Hartley, and Nancy, who 
became the wife of W. H. Hedden. Both she and 
her husband are now deceased, and they left five 
children: Mrs. Olive Fowler; Mrs. Nellie Bass, of 
St. Louis; Mrs. Hattie Jennings; William C, of Col- 
linsville; and Etta, of Stockton, Cal. 

Our subject remained upon the home farm until 
ten j'cars of age, when he went to New Albany 
to live with a half-l)rother, Hiram Lanham, with 
whom he remained four years. The last year he 
was engaged in blacksmithing. He then returned 
to St. Louis to his guardian, Simon Brewster, with 
whom he remained for a year, when he went to 
Texas County, Mo., there spending two j'ears as a 



144 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



clerk. In the fall of 1817 lie went U) CoUinsville, 
where he remained until the spring of 1848, when 
he started across the plains for California, driving 
an ox-team in order to pay the expenses of the 
journe}'. lie arrived at what is now IMacervillo 
in October, and there spent the winter. While 
en route he learned of the discovery of gold, and 
during the winter engaged in mining most of the 
time. In the spring he went to Coloma and there 
engaged in a lumber mill, the first mill in Califor- 
nia, at ij;i()0 per month; he remained there until 
Is'ovcnibcr, when lie was sent to Sacramento to buy 
provisions for the compan}''s hotel. While there 
he was taken sick with typhoid fever and could 
not leave tiie place until the spring of 1819. Dur- 
ing that time he met the lamented Captain Suter, 
who was very kind to him. 

Mr. Lanham remained in Sacramento until 1850, 
when he returned to Coloma and engaged in mill- 
ing and mining for a few months. lie went thence 
to San Francisco and on to San .lose, where he 
spent the greater part of the time for eight years 
employed as a clerk. lie spent about one year in 
mining in the norlliein part of California, after 
which he returned to San Jose and engaged in 
lilacksmithing until 1850. In the s|)ring of that 
year he returned to CoUinsville, 111. While in 
California he met General Fremont, Kit Carson, 
J.ack Hayes and other noted pioneers. The return 
journey w.as made by way of Panama and New 
( )rleans. 

After his return IMr. Lanham engaged in mer- 
chandising in CoUinsville for about two years, 
when he sold out and spout one j-ear in Alton en- 
gaged in clerking, returning to CoUinsville in 
186.'). Later he engaged in farming, and the fol- 
lowing year he once more went to Califoinia, this 
time making the journey by way of New York and 
the water route. For one year he remained in 
Sacramento, when he once more returned to Illi- 
nois by way of the Isthmus route. 

Mr. I/inham then turned his attention to agri- 
cultural piii-suits, operating the old home farm until 
his election to the ollice of County Clerk in 1.8!t0, 
since which time he h.as been a resident of Ed- 
wardsville. He h.as held oilier public olllces: was 
Assessor of CoUinsville for lifteen years, was 



Deputy SlierilT from 1882 until 188G,and has filled 
all the different school ollices. His frecpient calls 
to jiublic iX)sitions result from the confidence re- 
posed in him by his fellow-townsmen and his 
faithfulness to ever}' trust. 

On the 3d of September, 1863, Mr. Lanham 
wedded Miss Sarah F., daughter of .John L. and 
Mary A. (Rradshaw) Clarke. Her father was a 
native of England, as was his wife, and was a sea- 
faring man, serving as Captain of a vessel. He 
became one of the early settlers of Madison 
County'. Both he and his wife are now deceased. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Lanham have been Itorn the fol- 
lowing children: Mary, Mollic G.; Samuel II., Citj' 
Weigher of Edwardsville, and Nettie. All are )'Ct 
at home. The wife and children are members of 
the Episcopal Church. 

In his political views Mr. Lanham is a Democrat 
and does all in his power to promote the growth 
and insure the success of his party. He has been 
a delegate to the county, state and congressional 
conventions at various times and has made a very 
popular and cap.able County Clerk, disch.arging 
his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction 
to his constituents. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and Knights of Honor. V>y nature Mr. 
Lanham is veiy genial and companionable, and 
one is attracted to him by his frank, open-hearted 
manner. His mind has been broadened by his 
travels and his charity enlarged. He is sympa- 
thetic, liberal in thought, true in his friendships, 
and is recognized as a valued citizen of the com- 
munity. 

■ ^# P ' . 



JEFFERSON VIRGIN, who is one of the 
most prominoul farmers of St. J.acob Town- 
ship, was born in St. Clair County, this 
state, August I'.l, 1818. He is the son of 
Hiram A'irgin, whose birth occurred in Ohio, 
whence he later came to this state, Iwconiing one 
of the pioneers of the above county. A man of 
ability and educaliiui, he taught school, but never 
succeeded in .accumulating much property. 

When the mother of our subject died, Jefferson 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



145 



was a lad of about nine years, and as the family 
circle was then broken up, he went to live with a 
Baptist preacher by the name of James Lemen, who 
was also a farmer. Young Virgin worked at till- 
ing the soil, receiving but little schooling, and re- 
mained with that gentleman until grown, when he 
was given a horse, s.addle and bridle. With these 
he started out to make his own way, his first era- 
liloymeiit being as a farm hand at $10 per month, 
lie next worked a farm on shares, and then, aban- 
doning that business for a time, began trading in 
stock and grain, buying the grain from the f.arm- 
ers and hauling it to market with an ox-team. In 
this manner he made a goodly amount of mone}', 
and in 184G purchased his first piece of land, 
which consisted of eighty acres, and which is in- 
cluded in his present estate. He moved on this 
tract the following year, and then became .agent 
for a land company, disposing of large tracts, 
wliicli brought him in a handsome profit. 

Mr. Virgin now owns between four and five 
hundred acres of valuable land. He is also en- 
gaged in loaning money, having accumulated a 
fortune by dealing in real estate. He has been 
very ])rominent in local politics, and was for many 
years School Director, Trustee, Township Commis- 
sioner, and for eight 3'ears was Justice of the 
Peace and Township Supervisor. He was in early 
life an old line Whig in politics, but after the or- 
ganization of the Republican party joined its 
ranks. 

Jefferson Virgin w.as married in 1841 to IMiss 
Ilairiet Axley, by whom he became the father of 
two children. After the death of his first wife he 
was again married, April 3, 1849, to Mrs. Anna M. 
Van Ilouser, who was born within three miles of 
her present home. She is a daughter of John 
Lindley, one of the pioneers and prominent men 
of this part of the countiy in his daj'. Mr. and 
Mrs. Virgin had born to them two sons and two 
daughters. Thomas J., who'completed his educa- 
tion in McKcndree College, married Miss Docie 
Thaua, and lives on his father's farm; Franklin P. 
married Mi;s Margaret Wilson, of Trenton, and 
makes his home on this estate; Anna M. is the wife 
of Osborn Reagel, who was for many years a school 
teacher, but is now a druggist of Waverly, this 



state; Elizabeth J. is the wife of H. W. Louis, a 
general traveling agent of the .American Book 
Company of New York, Cincinnati and Chicago; 
they make their home at Jackson, Tenn. Both of 
the daughters are graduates of McKendree College, 
of Lebanon, 111. As has already been seen Mr. 
Virgin 's career has been a most successful one, and 
he is deservedly classed among the wealthy and 
prominent citizens of the count}'. 



4^ 



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ARTIN J. SCIIOTT, President of the High- 
land Brewing Company, was born in the 
Duch}' of Nassau, where his father owned 
a farm, November 19, 1830. His father, 
Gerhart Schott, who was born August 10, 1801, at 
Frankfort-on-the-Main, came to America in 1855, 
and located in this city, where he and Charles L. 
Bernays established a brewery. 

Our subject, when a lad of sixteen years, entered 
a brewery in his native land, and he now has 
hanging in his office a diploma which was granted 
him after learning the business. This was in 1849, 
and he continued to be thus occupied in Germany 
until 1851, when he went to Lyons, France, re- 
maining until the father came to America in 1855. 
He became an expert in his business, and in 1856, 
on the organization of the brewery at this place, 
became a member of the firm. After operating 
it for one year, he, in company with his father, 
purchased the interest of Charles L. Bernays, and 
then took his brother Christian into the companj-. 
This connection lasted until 186G, when his father 
sold out to his sons and that year returned to Ger- 
manj' to join his familj', who are still living in 
their native land. He there passed the remainder 
of his life, dying January 15, 1881. 

Martin J. and Christian Schott built the present 
brewery in 1866, and four 3ears later our subject 
purchased the interest of his brother, and from 
that time until 1884 was sole owner of the enter- 
prise. In the above year it was incorporated, and 
he then took his sons into the firm. Our subject 



146 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



has made many improvcnu'iits to Uic plant from 
time to time, conslantly biiililinj^adiiilions thereto 
as iiis increasing business required. It is now one 
of the hxriresl breweries in the soutliern part of the 
state, and lias llie eai)aeily of turning out (ifleen 
thousand barrels per annum, aliout twolifthsof 
which is sold in lli<flilaiid, and the leinaindt'r in 
the surrouniliny towns. 

IVIartin J. Scliott was married Novenilier I'.t, 
1857, to Mijs Herllia l^ggen, who was lioni in this 
eit3' .Septeuilier 'J, \^W. She was, however, sent 
to Switzerland when (juite young, and for seven 
years made her home with her grandparents. I5y 
her union with vnv subject she has become the 
mother of four sons and four daughters. They 
are, Kmclia, wife of Samuel Lculweiler; Otto G.; 
Nellie, wife of Louis Suppiger; Alice, Albert H., 
Eugene (J., llertlia and Martin J., Jr. 

In politics Mr. Schott is a Democrat, and so- 
cially is a I\iasou and Odd Fellow. lie is a mem- 
ber of the Sharpshooters and of the llarnKjny 
Singing Societies, and holds membership with the 
United Lutheran Church, toward the s>u|)port of 
which he has contributed very materially. lie is 
one of the public-siiiritcd men of the cily, and lias 
ever borne his part in its upbuilding. 









;e= 




DAM NA(!KL, a retired fanner living in 
{C<«y/Jll the cily of Highland, is recognized as one 
of the wealth}' citizens of the place, and 
liie comfort that he is now enjoying has 
been secured by much hard .work and economy on 
his |)art. He was born in Miugclsheim, Oberamt, 
Haden, April C, 1822, and is the son of Adam 
Nagel, .Sr., a small farmer in that place. 

The original of this skett^h was the youngest 
child in a family of nine children, and one 3-ear 
after attaining his majority, determined to try his 
fortunes in the New World. Accordingly he set 
sail from his native land in 1844, and making his 
way directly to this phue, engaged to work at the 
carpenter's trade, which he had learned .across the 



waters in his old home. After being thus em- 
ployed for three years, he entered a tract of land 
from the (iovernment and set to work to clear anil 
improve his property, making of it a good estate. 

Four years after landing in the United Stales 
Mr. Nagel was married, the lady of his choice be- 
ing Miss Soplia Schaffer, who aided him greatly in 
the years which fiiilowcd by her economical habits 
and good advice. Their first dwelling was made 
of logs, which our subject hauled a distance of 
twelve miles, and in this the family lived for 
many years, or until their means would allow them 
to erect a more commodious and comfortable 
structure. The}' passed through many hardships 
in those pioneer times, breaking the [irairie with a 
rude plow and six yoke of oxen, and even after 
this hard labor, when the grain was ready for mar- 
ket it brought only a veiy low price per bushel. 
During the late war, however, for those who had 
anything to sell times grew better, and Mr. Nagel 
prospered greatly, m.-tking money so fast that he 
was soon enabled to add to his estate, ipaying for 
the eecoiid farm *17,000. 

Mr. Nagel retired from active life about fifteen 
3'ears ago, at which time he moveil into the city of 
Highland, where he has a beautiful home, and is 
Uiking life easy. He is the possessor of considera- 
ble other real estate, and the farm is being carried 
on by his sons. By his union with Miss Schaffer 
he has become the father of five children. Henry, 
who is engaged in farming near .Salisbury, Mo., is 
married and has three sons and two daughters; 
Joseph, who is engaged in operating his father's 
farm in this count}', is also married and the father 
of three sons and four daughters; Emma is the 
widow of David Rinderer, and the niolhcr of two 
sons and two daughters; she makes her home with 
her parents; Mary married .Joseph Hotz, Deputy 
Sheriff of Madison County, and makes her home 
in Edwardsville, where she has a family of five 
children; John, who married Miss Annie Spaeth, 
has three sons and lives on one of our subject's 
estiites. 

Mr. Nagel is a man of excellent business ability, 
is sagacious and far sighted, systematic and meth- 
odical, and his excellent success is the result of his 
own well directed efforts. He has a wide ae<juaiiit- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



147 



ance throughout the county and is held in the 
liigliest regard bj- all witli whom business or social 
relations have brought him in contract. His ex- 
ample is well worthy of emulation, and it is with 
pleasure that we present to our readers this record 
of his well spent life. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics, though he never aspired to office holding, and 
in religion is a devoted Catholic, contributing lib- 
erally toward the support of the church in High- 
laud. Some years ago Mr. Nagel returned to his 
native land on a visit, remaining for several 
months. 






|/„ OWARD T. WHARFF, M. D., physician 
J; antt surgeon of Edwardsville, was born in 
Calais, Me., >Se|)leuiber 20, 1816. Hisgrand- 
<^j father, Kli|)lialel Wliarff, was a native of 
that slate and was descended from one of three 
brothers who in the early da3's of American history 
emigrated to this country; one located at Boston, 
another at Gloucester, Mass., and the other in Vir- 
ginia. From the fust our subject is descended. 
Kliplialct Wliarff served as Captain of the Stale 
Militia under Gov. Cabel Strong, and died in 
Massachusetts. His wife then went to Portland, 
Me. 

Thomas E. Wharff, father of our subject, was 
born in Portland, and became a merchant and 
lumber dealer, doing an extensive business in 
both lines. His winter residence was in Calais, 
Me., and his summer home in Boston. The Wliarffs 
were originally princes of the royal family of 
Denmark, but during an insurrection they sided 
with the i)e()i)le and were banished to F)ngland. 
Later one married into the house of York, and 
from this line the Doctor is descended. Thomas 
E. Wharff gave his attention solely to business in- 
terests and accumulated a large property*. He 
was a Republican in politics, belonged to the Con- 
gregational Church, and to the INLisonic and Odd 
Fellows' fraternities. He marruid Edith Annie 
Johnson, and to them were born five children: 
Howard T., Monroe F., Edward D., William and 



Emma L. All are deceased with the exception of 
our subject and F^lward, the latter of whom is 
now in the wholesale drug business in Rochester, 
N. Y. 

Dr. Wharff was educated in private schools, an 
academ_y and Haverill (Mass.) College, in which 
he was a student at the time of the breaking out 
of the Civil War. (Jn the President's call for 
troops he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Massa- 
chusetts Regiment, under Gen. B. F. Butler, for 
three months, and was discharged in July. This 
was the regiment which passed through New York 
City and Baltimore during the riots there. The 
Doctor returned to Maine, and on the 15lh of 
September joined Company A, Ninth Maine In- 
fantry, which was organized at Augusta. He was 
made Sergeant, marched to Portland, thence to Bos- 
ton, and on to New Y'ork, Philadelphia and Wash- 
ington, where the regiment went into cam[) at Ar- 
lington Heights. The lrooi)s took i)art in the ex- 
pedition to Florida, and on their return engaged in 
the siege of Morris Island, the reduction of F't. 
Sumter and the battle of Ft. Wagner. The Doctor 
was made (Quartermaster in Florida, and at Morris 
Island Brigade Quartermaster and was placed on the 
staff of Gen. James Montgomery, thus serving for 
about a year, when he joined his regiment at City 
Point, Va. He was then under the command of Col- 
onel Gilmore, and took part in the battles of White 
House Landing and of Deep Bottom. They were af- 
terwards in the engagement in front of Petersburg, 
and Mr. Wharff was present at the blowing up of 
the mine, where he had some nariow escapes. In 
December he resigned, his three years' term hav- 
ing expiretl, and returned home with the rank of 
First Lieutenant and (Quartermaster. On the 1st 
of June, 1865, with endorsements from General 
Sherman, he went to Washington, passed an ex- 
amination before the board and was appointed 
Second Lieutenant of the United States Infantry. 
After one year's service on the frontier he resigned. 
He was on duty at Buffalo during the F'iuian raid, 
and was in the ship when Sweeney was arrested. 

After his resignation Dr. Wharff met Governor 
Brownlow of Boston, who asked him to go to Ten- 
nessee and take a position on his staff, which he did, 
and was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 



118 



POK TRAIT AND 15I0GRAPI1ICAL RECORD. 



State Militia. After a year be ri-signed, went to 
St. I^ouis, and Iraveiod in llic west. Subsequent- 
ly lie lieyaii the sliuiy of nieiiicine In the St. Louis 
Medical College, where he remained a year, and 
then went to Troy, III., studying under l)i-. '1'. li. 
S|iaulding for two years, lie also studied ivilh 
Dr. l'(.iguc, of Kdwardsville, fur two years, and in 
187'J opened an olliec in this place and has since 
eng.aged in |)ractice, doing a large and prolitable 
business. 

The Doctor was here married in 1873 to Mary 
A. Carney, a native of Manc'hesler, England. Her 
parents died in New Orleans during the war. They 
have three children, Edith W., Howard E. and 
Emma L. The family are niembcrs of the Ei)is- 
copal Church. In politics the Doctor is a stalwart 
Republican, and is a member of the Grand Army 
post, the Masonic fraternity, and the Odd Fellows' 
and Knights of I'ythias lodges. His career has 
been an eventful one, and he is recognized as one 
<il liie valued citizens of Madison County. 



(h:{ 



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JOHN M. I'ARKINSON, Superintendent of 
the public schools of Edwardsville, was 
born in Marion County, III., on the '23d of 
December, 1853, .and is a son of Hugh and 
Martha (Morton) Parkinson. His father was a 
native of South Carolina, and his mother of Ten- 
nessee. The grandfather, .John Parkinson, was 
born in the North of Ireland, and on emigrating 
to the United States located in Chester, S. C, 
whence the family removed to Tennessee. In 
1810 they came to I Uinois, settling near Salem, 
where they followed farming. The Morton fam- 
ily was also of Scotch origin. Some of its repre- 
scntjitivcs went to Ireland, and thence crossed 
the Atlantic to South Carolina. They afterward 
removed to Tennessee, where Mrs. Parkinson was 
born and married. 

The parents of our subject were both members 
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The father 
was a Democrat in politics in early life, but on 



the organization of the Republican party joined 

its ranks. He died on the old homestead Novem- 
ber 13, 1875. His widow still survives him and 
is living with a daughter in Coullerville, HI., at 
the age of seventy-seven. In the family were 
five children who grew to mature years: Eli/.alietli 
Jane, who is ilie wife of Jose|)h (i. Aumiller and 
resides on the old homestead; Martha Ann, who 
is living in Pinckney ville, HI.; Mary C, wife of 
John N. Lyie, of Coullerville; John M., of Ed- 
wardsville; and Josephine, who teaches in Clinton 
County, III. 

The carl^' life of Professor Parkinson was passed 
on the homestead farm, and in the district schools 
of the neigliborhood ho acquired his early edu- 
cation, which he suijplementcd by study in the 
High School of Salem, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1872. He then returned home and took 
charge of the farm. Through the winter seasons 
he engaged in teaching, being thus employed in 
Fayette, Marion, .Jefferson and Clinton Counties, 
HI. He spent the year 1880 in the Southern 
Illinois Normal University, of Carbondale, and 
afterward taught at Walnut Hill anil Central City 
until 1887. During the same time he also man- 
aged the farm. In 1887 he once more entered 
the Normal University, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 188i). 

Professor Parkinson is a self-cduialed man, 
whose opportunities for securing an education 
came as the result of his own labor and earnest 
efforts. On his graduation he accepted the posi- 
tion c)f Superintendent of the public schools of 
]\It. Carmcl, where he remained one year. He was 
elected for a second year, but being offered a 
better salary at Carlyle he went to that place, 
where he remained until June, 18!t3, when he was 
app(jinted to the same (losition in Edwardsville, 
where he is now located. He has sixteen teachers 
under his jurisdiction and about nine hundred 
and fifty pupils. He has labored earnestly to ad- 
vance the standard of excellence and endeavors 
to make the high school a connecting link Ixj- 
tween the intermediate grades and colleges; at 
the same time he gives to the pupils a i)ractical 
education, which will fit them for life's duties. 
He is laboring with success to make the .'•"dwards- 




J. J. BROWN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



151 



ville schools rank with the best in the state. He 
is now pursuing a professional course of reading 
in literature, history and psycliolog}', and has a 
broad and cultured mind. 

Mr. Parkinson was married in Carlyle, August 
22, 18;»3, to Julia, daughter of Daniel and Cather- 
ine (Ilervey) While, who were among the early 
settlers of Clinton County. Mr. Parkinson is a 
member of the United Presbyterian, and his wife 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics 
he is a Republican, and is a man of i)leasing ad- 
dress and genial n;iture, but of strong and (>osi- 
tive character, well adapted for the inofession 
which he has chosen. His scholars are under thor- 
ough discipline and are making rai)id atlvance- 
ment under his able management. 



.^4.+++ .^.^.{..{.^.^.^.^.^ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ X' 



.1. 15R0WN, M. D., Mayor of Troy, is also 
one of the skillful and successful physicians 
of the city and county, where he has been 
engaged in practice since 1880. He is a 
close student of his profession, and his ability has 
won for him a high reputation, not only among 
his patrons, but also in the medical fraternity. 
Progressive in his ideas, he keeps abreast with 
modern discoveries in medicine and their proper 
ai)i)lication. The same ability that has placed him 
in the front rank of his profession is always at 
the service of the community for the promotion of 
meritorious enterprises, and during his incum- 
bency of the olilce of Mayor he has been instru- 
mental in advancing many ini|)ortant measures. 

In Greene County, 111., our subject was born 
July 31, 1853, being the youngest of seven chil- 
dren comi)rising the family of Squire and Jane 
(Underwood) Brown, natives of Kentucky. His 
l)arents were quite young when they accompanied 
their respective parents to Illinois, where they 
were numbered among the earliest settlers of 
Greene County. Our subject was a lad of nine 
years when he ac(^ompanied the family to Madi- 
son County, settling near Alton. His education 
3 



was acquired at Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, 
and McKendree College, Lebanon, where he spent 
two 3'ears. 

It was his father's desire that our subject should 
become a farmer, but his inclination and tastes ran 
in the direction of books, and he chose medicine 
for his profession. In 1879 he was graduated 
from the St. Louis Medical College, after which he 
opened an ollice in Washington County, 111. A 
few months later he came to Troy, where he has 
successfully followed his profession ever since. In 
1877 he was united in marriage with Miss Rachel 
Ida, daughter of Dr. Isaac E. and Sarah J. (Busby) 
Hardy, natives of Virginia, and now residents 
of Alton, 111. Five children resulted from the 
union, of whom the next to the eldest died at the 
age of two years, his death being caused by a kick 
from a horse. The surviving children are, J. J., 
who is a student at the United States Naval Acad- 
emy, at Annapolis; Bruce H., Patti Estelle and 
AVilbur Kenneth. 

In the ranks of the Democratic party no citizen 
of Troy is more active or prominent than Dr. 
l>rown,and upon that ticket he has been elected 
to a number of local odices of honor. Socially, he 
is idcntilied with the Masonic fraternity. Knights 
of Pythias and Indeiicndent Orderof Odd Fellows. 
His honorable life, frank and courteous bearing, 
and warm-hearted nature have won for him the 
conlidence of the entire community, and have 
given him a high place in the regard of his asso- 
ciates. In social life he is as popular as he is suc- 
cessful in his i)rofessioii. His wife is a meuiber of 
the Baptist Church, but he is liberal in his religious 
views. He has done much for the upbuilding of 
Troy and its general im|)roveinent, and has proved 
a valuable acquisition to its citizenship. 



i-5"{"{"J-» 



i,****!; 



^•5"{"!'*'^^' -J- •{•*+? 



^S^MIL HERMANN, who occupies the respon- 
lU] sible position of Superintendent of the 
jjL-^ Highland Milling Coini)auy, was born in 
that city November 18, 1858. He is the eldest of 
the four sons comprising the family of Henry Her- 



152 



rollTUAlT AND lilOGRArillCAL KECOUD. 



iiiaiin, who was a inillwrighl in liis native land, 
Switzerland. 

Tlic father of our subject came to America when 
a young man of twenty yertrs, and lirst engaged 
in the distilling business in Highland. Just at 
the close of the Civil Wai-, however, when the 
heavy tax was placed on whiskey, he refused to 
enter the "riug," and consecjuently retired from 
that business. His next enterprise was the estab- 
lishment of the Hermann Milling Company, of 
which he was President and manager up to the 
time of his decease, in 1891. 

Kmil,of this sketch, received his education in the 
common schools of this city, supplemented by one 
year at Warrenton, Mo. When ready to choose 
a vocation in life, he entered his father's mill, 
and very soon thereafter thorouglily mastered the 
business. With the exception of one year siient 
as miller in the mill at O'Failon, he has always 
been engaged with the Highland Milling Com- 
pany. In 1890 he became a stockholder in the 
same, and under his able direction the mill was 
entirely remodeled, although the manufacture of 
the same brands of (lour which had gained an al- 
most world-wide reputation while he was con- 
nected with the Hermann Milling Company was 
continued here. Mr. Hermann is an expert in his 
line of work, and has the entire charge of the 
mechanical part of the business of the large mill, 
which turns out more than five hundred barrels of 
Hour per day. The greater portion of their manu- 
facture is sliipped direct to Europe, and it is 
largely due to the persistence and able manage- 
ment of our subject that it has been placed in the 
front rank among tiie best brands of Hour which 
lind their way to the foreign market. 

Henry Hermann, a brother of our subject, is also 
a large stockholder in the milling plant; David, 
another of the family, is a prominent attorney at 
Spokane Falls, Wash.; and Robert is engaged as a 
general merchant at Kaufman, this county-, where 
he also owns large elevators. 

The marriage of our sultjcct with Miss I'aulina 
Schiettinger took place October 13, 1881. Mrs. 
Hermann was the daughter of George Schiettinger, 
one of the early settlers of this county, and the 
founder of the large furniture establishment now 



owned by his son. Charles Schiettinger, of whom 
a more com|)lete sketch will l)e found elsewhere in 
this volume. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Hermann was born a fam- 
ily of six children, Emil, Helen, Linda, (irace, 
George and Willie, the latter of whom is deceased. 
Our subject is a thorough-going business man. and 
devotes his entire time to the successful carrying 
on of his milling industry. Although greatly in- 
terested in the welfare of his community, he cares 
little for political honors. He has been elected 
by his fellow-townsmen as a metid)er of the City 
Council, and has been Tax Collector, taking charge 
of the ollice on the decease of his eldest brother, 
John, who was the incumbent of the position for 
many years. He alliliates with the Demociatic 
party. Socially, he is a Uoyal Arcli Mason, and at 
the present time is .serving as Senior Warden of 
the blue lodge, and is Principal Scrilieof the chap- 
ter. 



"S) 



^-K- 



[3_ 



fcD 



S^DWARD FKUTZ, a member of the County 
Ifel 15oard of Supervisors, and one of the lead- 
IL^^> ing business men of Highland, was born on 
a farm near this city June K!, 18.>5. He is the 
son of Fred Feutz, who was a native of Switzer- 
land, and came to America in 1819, locating near 
Highland, in this county, where he lived until 
1884. That year he went farther west, going to Mis- 
souri, and now makes his home in Audrain Ct>unty. 

The maiden name of our suliject's mother was 
Agatha Kuedy. She was likewise a native of 
Switzerland, whence she came to the United Stales, 
and here met and married Fred Feutz. The latter 
was the eldest in his parents' family of ten chil- 
dren, live sons and live daughters, and spent his 
early life in being trained to farm pursuits and in 
attendance at the district school. 

When nineteen years of age young Fculz began 
clerking in a store in Grant Forks, this county. 
Soon thereafter he was given charge of a wagon, 
and by <lriving through the country disposing of 
goods, he develoi)ed considerable tact as a sales- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



153 



man. After remaining in the employ of that firm 
for two years, our subject accepted a position as a 
clerk in Highland, and a year later began clerking 
in tlie hardware store of C. F. Kuhneu, also in 
that citj^ He remained with him about two years 
anil a-half, when he engaged in the sewing ma- 
ciiinc business, having the agency of several stand- 
ard-make machines. During the time thus occu- 
pied, Mr. Feutz formed a partnership with G. J. 
Starmer in the marble works, and soon succeeded 
to the whole business. He then disposed of his 
stock of sewing machines, and in connection with 
his marble works started a broom factory. In 
1886 he suffered a severe loss in the burning of 
ills buildings, but with the same determination 
that has ever characterized his dealings, he set 
about re-establishing himself, locating at that time 
at his present stand. About this time he engaged 
in the street macadamizing business, and has been 
given the contract for paving all the streets in 
Highland, and in many of the surrounding cities 
in this and Bond counties. 

Mr. Feutz gives employment to more men in his 
marble works than any other man in that business 
in Madison Count}'. His first year's sales amounted 
to $200, and each year there has been a steady 
gain, until last year his sales amounted to i|12,000. 
He has also been interested in many other enter- 
prises; he was one of the originators and incorpora- 
tors of the Highland Prospecting Com pan}', which 
was incorporated November IG, 188G, for the pur- 
pose of prospecting for natural gas or any other 
product that might be found in sinking a "dry 
hole." They bored down a tliousand feet or more 
and the only thing of value struck was strong 
mineral water, which is now used for bathing pur- 
|)oses. Mr. Feutz was also one of the stockhold- 
ers in the Higliland Milling Company, and has 
also dealt largely in real estate in and about the 
city. He was elected Town Clerk in 1882, and 
held the oflice for a period of eight years. In 
18'Jl he was appointed Supervisor to fill a vacancy; 
he was elected in the spring of 1892, and was re- 
elected in 1894. He is now a member of the Board 
of Kducation, and in ])olilics he is a stanch Repub- 
lican. Socially, he is a Knight of Honor; he be- 
longs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, 



the Shooting, Singing and Turners' Societies, in 
all of which he is very prominent, particularly in 
the Sliooting Society. 

The subject of this sketch was married January 
10, 1878, to Miss Louisa Siedler, a native of this 
city, and to them were born seven children, namely: 
Leona, Felton, Irwin, Ella, Eldna, Helen and War- 
ren. 

• ^ ^ P • 



Vip^r RITZ KAESER,one of the leading Ijiisiness 
-^(g)) men of Highland, occupies the position of 
\ Superinteiideut of the Helvetia Milk Ctm- 
densing Company. He was born across the waters 
in Glarus, Switzerland, May 13, 1847, and was 
finely educated, being a graduate of the high 
school of his native citj'. After completing his 
studies he learned a trade, which lie followed until 
his emigration to America in 1865, leaving Switz- 
erland on his eighteenth birthday. His father, 
who bore the name of Melciiior Kaeser, was a man 
of ordinary means. 

Arriving in the New World in July of the 
above year, our subject came immediately to this 
cit^.and for four months he worked out on farms; 
he then went to Belleville, where he commenced 
to learn the blacksmith's trade, working at it for 
a little more than a year. At the end of that time 
he returned to Highland in order to take charge 
of a brick yard which was then being started by 
Peter Streiff. He held this position for six years, 
and at the expiration of that time purchased a 
farm in Saline Township and gave his undivided 
attention to its cultivation until 1885, when he 
abandoned that pursuit and became a stockholder 
in the Helvetia Milk Condensing Comiiany. 

In 1886 Mr. Kaeser was made Superintendent 
of the concern, which position he is still occupy- 
ing, and to him great credit is due for tlie aid he 
has given in building up a good trade. It is one 
of the greatest industries in Madison County, and 
the plant is now controlled by Louis Latzer, Presi- 
dent; John Wildi, Secretary; and our subject as 
Superintendent. Mr. Kaeser has from seventy-five 



154 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



to one hundred men under his charge all the time 
and is a very careful, able ami far-seeing business 
man. 

While residing on his farm our subject held va- 
rious local olliccs, alUiougli not at any lime asjjir- 
ing to political honors. In 1887 he moved into 
the city from his estate and thereafter gave his 
entire time to increasing the business of the milk 
compan\'. Mr. Kaeser was married October 15, 
1868, to Miss Catherine Caindle, and to them were 
born eleven cliildruu, eight of whom survive. 
Catherine and JMary are married; John, who is a 
traveling salesman for the factory, was also the 
first Secretary of the brancii estal)lishment in Ce- 
dar Kapids, Iowa; Lena, the next daughter, is at 
home; Alfred Frederick is a student in the Illinois 
State University at Champaign; Elise A'erna, 
William George and Emil are with their parents. 
Our subject is a member of the Singing Society 
and is also connected with the Ancient Order of 
United Woikmen. The Christian Church finds in 
him one of its valued members. lie is a man of 
broad and enlightened views, forcible character 
and fine business talent, and is also the hap|>y 
possessor of a contented and hopeful disposition, 
which wins for him a host of warm friends. 






^^^ O. NKLSON MANri-'ACTrUINO COM- 
[[ jjj PANY. One of the best industrial insti- 
]^M-s tutions in this country is the one above 
mentioned. It has its like onl>' in St. Louis, where 
is the older and main establishment. 1 1 is co-op- 
erative in its system of labor and differs materially 
from all other corporations. The plant was 
erected on the outskirts of the city in 1890, on 
the site of one hundred and sixty acyes which were 
laid out for the purpose and named LeClaire, after 
the distinguished Krenchnian, the originator of 
this system of labor and profit sharing. Mr. Nel- 
son selected the site with its large acreage so 
that he could have a wider scope to carry out 
and fully develop his co-operative methods. Every 



one of the one hundred and lifly employes con- 
nected with the esljiblishment is a stockliolder 
and draws six per cent, interest on the amount 
(if his stock. He also has a salary equal to 
that paid for similar work elsewhere, to which is 
ad<k'd a per cent, of the profits after caring for the 
sick and disabled. This per cent, on his slock he 
can draw out at the end of the jear or allow it to re- 
main, increasing his stock capital. The conditions 
are also applied to his salary. Thus the employes 
take an interest in their work, become identified 
with the estal)lishment, labor for its success and 
feel a pride in it. Another grand feature is that 
it gives a man the oiii)ortunity of acquiring a 
home and educating his children. The intellectual 
and social features of it are a kindergarten, a well 
selected library, a billiard hall and bowling alley, 
all free. liecentiy Mr. Nelson endowed the in- 
stitution with an educational fund of $10,000, 
to whicli he proposes to add from time to lime as 
Die necessities ma^- require. The gift is pl.aced in 
tiie hands of five trustees selected from the em- 
ployes, whose only qualification is that they must 
be a householder in LeClaire. The first ollicers of 
the comi)any were N. O. Nelson, President; George 
A. Wells, Vice-President; and .1. 1$. Case, Secre- 
tary. Mr. Nelson is still President. They manu- 
facture all kinds of sawmill and planing mill ma- 
chinery, pipe m.achines and machine shop tools. 
The}- also carry on a brass foundry and do brass 
work of all descriptions. Another department is 
devoted to coppersmithing, and in the third de- 
l)artment they manufacture hardwood cabinet ware, 
fixtures, plumbing sui)plics, etc. 

The shop embraces seven large buildings con- 
structed of brick. The residence portion is laid off 
after the manner of a park, with a view to land- 
scape effect, with drives, walks, llower beds, foun- 
tains, etc. The dwellings are neat, attractive and 
commodious. Here loo are the billiard and bowl- 
ing halls, the kindergarten andsupi)l3' store owned 
and operated by the members. Most of the em- 
ployes live here, although they are free to select a 
residence elsewhere. 

The LeClaire institutifni is under the able nian- 
.ageraent of .1. II. Ncustadl, a native of Madison 
County, who has been connected with it since its 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



155 



formation. Tliougb comparatively young in years, 
he is especiall}' fitted to conduct an establishment 
of this kind, and its success is largely' due to his 
careful supervision. The founder of this sj'stem 
of labor is doing a great deal of good elevating 
the industrial classes, and is a benefactor of liis 
race, a true piiilauthropist. 






I3ii£:23_ 



so- 







ENT ELWOOD BURROUGHS is one of 
the leading druggists of Edwardsville. 
He w.as born in this county February 28, 
1860, and is a son of Hon. John C. and 
Esther A. (I'urroughs) Burroughs. The father 
was born in Maryland August 20, 18ii8, and was 
the fourth ciiild of John A. and Elizabeth (Dent) 
Burroughs, wlio were of English descent. He was 
a farmer in the full sense of that word and trained 
his son John to that vocation. Both the paternal 
and maternal grandfathers were active participants 
in the Revolution, and John A. Burroughs was 
present when the Hessians surrendered at Trenton. 
Captain Dent, the maternal grandfather, was also 
a commander of iVIaryland Militia in the War of 
1812, and stoutly resisted the landing of the Brit- 
ish at Benedict. He was subsequently captured by 
the British troops, and was offered a large amount 
of gold if he would give information of the posi- 
tion of the American forces; the patriot, however, 
was proof against British gold. He was an exten- 
sive planter and gained a state reputation as a 
tobacco grower. The Rebellion dissipated his fine 
estate, but he lived to see peace restored and the 
Union saved, dying in February, 1872. 

John C. I'.urroughs acquired his early education 
at Charlotte Hall, Md., and later pursued a classi- 
cal and scientific course. He began the study of 
law, but abandoned it and gratified his strong de- 
sire to make a tour of the west. The trip brought 
him through Madison County, and he was so much 
pleased with the soil, climate and people that he 
determined to make it his future home. His par- 
ents strongly objected, but to no purpose, and Au- 



gust 27, 1857, found him in Edwardsville, where 
he was soon teaching and reading law with A. W. 
Bletcalf. The following spring he made a tour 
through the southern states, and spent several 
months visiting friends near Natchez. Upon his 
return he was appointed Principal of the graded 
schools in Greenfield, 111., but the following year 
took up farming on rented land. He applied 
science and intelligence to farming, and by good 
management soon became the owner of a fine farm 
of three hundred and twenty acres. During the 
war, when great loss was caused by Missouri horse 
thieves, in connection with William II. Cotter he 
organized the Horse Thief Detective Society, 
which proved of great benefit to the people, and 
served for eight years as its President. He was a 
war Democrat, an ardent advocate of retrench- 
ment and reform in municipal, state and national 
affairs, and was prominently identified with the 
Grange movement. He took an active interest in 
everything pertaining to the advancement of agri- 
culture and for many years was President of the 
Madison County Agricultural Fair Association, 
and Te[)resented the county at the National Agri- 
cultural Congress in St. Louis in 1872. He served 
as Chairman of the Democratic Central Commit- 
tee for several years, and in 1869 w.as a prominent 
candidate for Count}' Judge. He and his wife 
belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
died June 4, 1876, and his death was deepi}' 
mourned by all who knew him. His wife still re- 
sides on the old homestead. They were the par- 
ents of six children, four yet living. Dent E., Ed- 
ward W., Daniel C, and Mary E., wife of Rev. 
Benjamin W. Wiseman, a Baptist minister. 

Mr. Burroughs of this sketch was reared in the 
usual manner of farmer lads, and acquired his 
education in the district schools, the high school 
of Edwardsville, and the Illinois State University 
of Champaign, where he pursued a three years' 
course. He then returned home and for one year 
clerked in a drug store of W. D. Ilarnst, after 
which he engaged in teaching school for two }-ears 
at Peters. He next resumed farming, which he 
continued until 1892, when he embarked in the 
drug business, purchasing the interest of the senior 
partner of the firm of Trares & Judd. Business 



156 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD 



is now carried on iiiuler tlie iiMiiic f)f Burroughs 
iV- Judd, and tlipy are piijoyinj;; an extensive; trade. 
Tliey carry a large stock of drugs, l)f)oks and sta- 
tionery, wall paper, paiiils and oils, and from the 
beginning their i)alronage has steadily increased, 
owing to fair and lionest dealing and courteous 
treatment of their customers. 

Mr. Burroughs was married in Kdwardsville, 
Fehruary 27, 1H81, to Alice lx)uise, daughter of 
James and Minnie (Rinne) Whitbread, of Madison 
County. The father is of English descent, and 
the mother of (lerman lineage. Mr. and Mrs. 
Burroughs liavc three children, ,7olin Edward, 
Minnie Esther and William Dent. 

In politics our subject is a Democrat, lie he- 
longs to the Methodist and his wife to the Episco- 
pal Church. In 1880 he became a meml)cr of 
Company F, Fifth Regiment Illinois National 
Guards, was elected Second Lieutenant, afterward 
First Lieutenant and later Cajjtain, l)ut at loiglh 
resigned liis commission. He now owns fmo hun- 
dred and twenty acres of vahialilc land uniler a 
high state of cultivation, lie is an active and 
public-spirited citizen, genial and open hearted, 
and has many warm friends in the coiiimunity. 



^>^^<^=^- 



and 

He. 

dale 



•S^LLIO'rr "W. MUDOE, a well known a 
|is] highly respected citizen of Edwardsvi 
j }' — ^ was born .lune 17, ISlo, at the O.akd 
l'"arm, in Madison County, where his father had a 
summer home. His ])arents were Solomon II. and 
Susan II. (Dodge) Mudge. 'J'he father was born 
in (Jrringlnn, Me.. .January 18, 18();3, and died in 
New (Jrleans March 27, 18G0. He was a son of 
Rev. Enoch Mudge, who was born in Lynn, Mass., 
June 28, 1776, and was the first native Methodist 
preacher of New F^ngland. His father, F>noch 
Mudge, Sr., was born in Lynnfield August 1, 1754, 
w.as a farmer and shoe manufacturer and served -as 
a soldier in the I{evolulionary War under Capt. 
William Farrington. He w.as a son of .lolin Mudge, 
who was born in Maiden. .Mass., December 30, 



1713, and the father of the Latter was John Mudge, 
ft native of Maiden, born in lfi85. The founder 
of the family in America wasThomas Mudge, who 
came to America in 1057 and located in Maiden. 

The year 18.'?(; witnessed the arrival of .Solomon 
Mudge in Illinois. lie purchased land in Madison 
County, and cultivated and improved what is now 
known .as theOakdale Farm, and which is the |)rop- 
erty of our subject. For two years he engaged in 
the banking business in St. Louis, and then went to 
New Orleans, where he took cliarge of the .St. 
Charles Hotel, which he conducted up to the time 
of his death, March 22, 1800. He became widely 
known and was a friend of many of the distin- 
guished men of this country, including Ceiicral 
Sherman, Stephen A. Douglas, Henry Clay and 
others. His widow survived him, departing this 
life in St. Louis in 1891. Their remains now rest 
in Oakdale Cemetery, on the old homestead. They 
were much beloved by all who knew them, and their 
lives were worthy of emulation. The following 
extract from a lengthy article on the death of 
Colonel Mudge shows the high esteem in which 
the deceased was held: 

"It was here in the miilst of his children and 
their children, and surrounded by some of his 
oldest and most attached friends, that the lamented 
subject of these bast}' reminiscences peacefully 
closed his eyes in death. To them it was a source 
of melancholy satisfaction that almost up to the 
ver3' last moment his mind was clear, his reason 
unclouded and his recognition of those he most 
dearly loved, perfect. He fell asleep, rather than 
died, and the latest impression he left on those who 
stood around his death bed was hopeful and jov- 
ous." Mr. Mudge was a Whig in politics and in 
religious faith was an Episcopalian. His wife was 
a Unitarian in belief. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Mudge were born eleven chil- 
dren, nine of whom reached mature yeai-s: Emily, 
wife of C. S. Rogers, who is living on the old 
homestead; Ellen, wife of William E. Wilson, a 
resident of Bond County, 111.; Anna, wife of David 
Hildreth, the present proprietor of the West End 
Hotel of Long I'.rancli, and the Metro))olitan Ho- 
tel of New ^'ork, his hcnnc being at Irving Place, 
N. \.; Susiin, wife of 1!. F. Ivlwards, of S:in An- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



157 



tonio, Tex., a nephew of ex-Governor Edwards, 
of Illinois; Virginia, now in Paris, France; Sarah, 
wife of J. F. Clarke, of Denver, Colo.; Ilinkley R., 
who was a member of the Seventh Louisiana In- 
fantrj', C. S. A., and was killed in the seven days' 
battle before Richmond; E. W., of this sketch; and 
George M. 13., who is an importer of New York. 

Mr. Mudge of this record spent his early boy- 
hood days under the parental roof, and his pri- 
mary education was acquired under the instruction 
of private tutors. lie afterward attended the 
Washington University at St. Louis, and the 
Flushing Institute of Long Island, where he 
was a student when the war broke out. He then 
joined his mother in the city of New Orleans and 
soon afterward entered the Confederate service as a 
member of the Crescent Regiment. He was then 
sixteen years of age. He took i)art in the battles 
of Shiloh and Corinth, and later was transferred to 
Forest's Cavalry, in which he served until paroled 
at Gansville, La., May 12, 1865, by Gen. E. R. S. 
Canl\y, of the United States army. He was 
wounded by a shell at Shiloh, but otherwise es- 
caped injur}-. 

After the war Mr. Mudge went to St. Louis, 
where he engaged in merchandising for two years, 
and then came to Madison County, locating on the 
old homestead, and leasing sixteen hundred acres 
of land. He then gave his attention to farming, 
which lie continued until 1880, when he removed 
to Edwardsviile, which has since been his home. 
He has served as Deputy Clerk on several differ- 
ent occasions and now fills that office. In connec- 
tion with .ludge C. L. Cook he put in the first 
electric light plant for the city in 1886. He was 
one of the original lessees of the Cherokee strip, 
and owned property there for four years, when he 
sold out to Gregory Elder & Co. He was elected 
Supervisor in the spring of 1800, re-elected in 1892 
and 18!)l,aud is now filling that ollice. He was 
also Supervisor of Saline Township in 1878. In 
1889 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and 
again in 1893. 

On the 17th of June, 1868, in CoUinsville, Mr. 
Mudge wedded Fannie, daughter of John L. and 
Mary (I'.radshaw) Clarke. To them have been 
born the following children: Solomon H., Viva, 



Fanny, Dick, Howard and Louise. The parents 
and children are members of the Episcopal Church. 
In politics Mr. Mudge is a Democrat, and is a 
member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias 
fraternities. This in brief is the history of one of 
Madison County's most popular citizens. He cai-- 
ries with him the mark of true gentility. He is 
ever ready to help the needy and oppressed, is char- 
itable and benevolent, and is willing to concede to 
others the broadest latitude of belief. He is warm 
in his attachments and true and steadfast in his 
friendship. 

■ ^ ^^ P • 



\1/ GUIS BODE. As a worthy representative 
I (© ^^ ^''® intelligence, the integrity and the 
/l^^ moral worth of the citizens of Pin Oak 
Township, the subject of this sketch occupies no 
ordinary position. He is widely and favorably 
known in this section, and the fact that he is well 
spoken of by high and low, rich and poor, is suffi- 
cient indication of his character. By a course of 
industry and good management he has become 
well-to-do financially, and his fine estate of three 
hundred and seventy acres indicates in a marked 
degree to what good purpose the owner has la- 
bored. 

Mr. Bode was born in Hanover, Germany, Feb- 
ruary 28, 184.5, and is the son of Fred and Dora 
(Beaman) Bode, also natives of the Fatherland. 
The father died while en route to this country in 
1856, at the age of lift}' years. The family had 
set sail from Bremen on a sailing-vessel, which con- 
sumed seven weeks in the passage across the Atlan- 
tic. They were landed in New Orleans, and thence 
made their way up the Father of Waters to St. 
Louis. They did not remain in that city very 
long, however, but came almost directly to this 
county, where our subject, his mother, two broth- 
ers and two sisters located, in Ilamel Township. 
He aided in the support of the family by working 
out by the month, and when only eleven years of 
age went to live with a family, working for his 
board and clothes. His mother had died in the 
meantime, and in 1866 young Bode was prosper- 



158 



PORTRAIT AND TUOO RAPFIICAL RECORD. 



ous enoiifjli to ront land, whicli lip cultivated U>v 
two years. 

October 28, 1.HG9, the orij^inal of this sketch was 
married to Miss Minnie, the daughter of William 
Zake, and b^' their union were born seven cliildren, 
two of whom are deceased. Those livinff are, .lu- j 
lius H., August H., Adalinc, Ella and KInier. Mr. 
liode continued to farm rented ))roperty for eleven 
years, when he purchased a portion of his present 
farm. To this he added as his means would allow 
until at llie jiresent lime his estate includes three 
hundred and seventy acres. lie is self made in 
tiie broadest sense of the term, and hcing one of 
the county's prominent citizens, is universally es- 
teemed. 

In politics, Mr. Bode always casts a vote for Re- 
publican candidates, and h.as been School Du'cctor 
in his district for six years. During the late war 
he enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company D, 
Forty-second Illinois Infantry, under Captain 
Richards. He served until the close of hostilities, 
and received his honorable discharge in Tcx.as. He 
was wounded in the figlit at Spring Hill, Tenn., 
an<l was confined, in consciiuenco, in the hospital 
for several weeks. He participated in all the en- 
gagements in which his regiment took part, with 
the exception of the one just mentioned. As a 
matter of cOHi-se he is a prominent Grand Army 
man, and for the past seven years has been a mem- 
ber of the post at Kdwardsville. With his wife he 
is connected with the Evangelical Church. He is 
liberal and opcn-lieartod, and no woilliy move- 
ment is allowed to fail on account of lack of sup- 
port on his part. 



/^{v HARLES SPIES, who is one of the promi- 
[1(^1 nent druggists of St. J.acob, is also inler- 
^\^^ ested in the Enterprise Milling Company, 
of which he is Secretary. He was born just two 
miles north of tlie cit3' June l.T, 18,')(), and is the 
son of .Jacob .Spies, who w.as born in ISavaria, Ger- 
many, in August, 1817. The father is a m.an of 
literal education, .and after emigrating' to the New 



World made his way dircctlj' to this county and 
located on a farm near this city. He soon became 
well-to-do in this world's goods, and being very 
popular in his locality, was the recipient of many 
positions of honor and trust. He is a man of 
great force of character, and for his sterling worth 
and integrity is honored and esteemed by all who 
know him. He is now making his home in Palo 
Alto County, Iowa, where he owns large traet-s of 
land. He laid out and built up a town in thai 
state, in which ho has extensive interests, and has 
associated with him his son. .lacob, .Ir. The father 
also lias many valuable pieces of hind in this cnun- 
ty and is interested in various enterprises, among 
Ihem the milling company, of which our subject is 
Secretary. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Catherine Kauffman II, w.as born in the Father- 
land about the j'ear 1 822. .She departed this life on 
the home farm in this county in 1800. Charles, 
f>f this sketch, was the fourth of the parental fam- 
ily of nine children. His brother Louis is a 
wealthy retired farmer living in St. .lacob. His 
sister Louisa is the wife of Charles Valier, the 
large Hour exporter of St. Louis, who is also Pres- 
ident of the mill in St. .Jacob, and a partner in the 
Valier it Spies Milling Company, f)f Marine. 

The original of this sketch sjient his boyhood 
days on his father's farm and conducted his prima- 
ry studies in the district scliool. When seventeen 
years of age he Ijccame a student in Melven- 
drce College, from which he was graduated with 
the Class of '72. Prior to this, however, he had 
taught the district school, and after receiving his 
diploma from the above college acceiited the posi- 
tion of Principal of the .St. .Jacob schools, which 
he held for two years. In 1874 he engaged in the 
drug business in this city and is now the jiroprie- 
tor of one of its finest establishments, and has a 
wide reputation as a reliable prescription druggist. 

In 1889, in company with his father, his broth- 
er-in-law, Charles \'alier, and L. W. Adier, our 
subject purch.ascd the mill whicli they are ojierat- 
ing together at the present time. It has a capaci- 
ty' of four hundred barrels of (lour |)er d.ay and a 
large export trade. Mr. Spies h.as been Secretary 
ever since the organization of the company and is 




CHRISTIAN P. sjiirn. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ifil 



the next to the largest stockholdei' in the concern, 
lie is also a member of the firm of Valier A Spies, 
owners of the mill at Marine, whore thej' are also 
doing a large and paying husniess. 

Althougii at no time an aspirant for political 
honors, our subject has filled the oflice of Town- 
ship Treasurer for seven j-ears, and by his thor- 
ough manner of trans.acting business and by look- 
ing after the affairs of the townshi|). has been 
of gieat advantage to the peoi)le in that position. 
He is a true blue Republican in politics, believing 
that party to be in the right. Socially, he is a 
JIason of high standing and takes great interest 
in the order. 

Charles Spies w.as married in 1874 to Miss Em- 
ma Bl.anke, a native of ]\Iaine, and to them were 
born five children, of whom those living are Es- 
tella, Flf)renee and Linda. Mr. Spies and his fam- 
ily occupy a hcauliful home on the principal street 
in St. .Jacob, which is one of the finest in the county. 



l^ 



^m^ .(e)j 



«j»^>|*«}«*^*^«^«^*^*^»{»y i | ii | ii | i i | i 




f®^' 



HRLSTIAN P. SMITH. Numerous instances 
ma}- be cited of men in Madison County, 
who by dint of persevering application and 
energy have risen from a position of povert}' to 
one of usefulness and wealth. Among this class 
of successful men, mention belongs to the gentle- 
man with whose name we introduce this sketch, 
and who is well known through this portion of 
the state. He is the owner of one thousand three 
hundred and sixty acres of land in this count}', 
which he devotes to mixed farming, and is also 
the proprietor of a flourishing bank in EUinwood, 
Kan. 

Mr. Smith was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, March 7, 1833. In that province his par- 
ents, Philip and Mary (Mueller) Smith, were also 
born, and thence they emigrated to the New World 
in December, 1847, setting sail from Bremen on 
the "Robert Patten," which consumed eight weeks 



on the trip. Landing in New Orleans, they there 
took a steamer bound for St. Louis, whence they 
came to this county. Here they made their home 
with relatives until they could look around and 
select a suitable location. The father i)urchased 
eighty acres, twelve of which were cleared. Lpon 
the property was a log cabin, 17x20 feet in dimen- 
sions, and this pioneer structure he occupied for 
four years when a more sulistantial house was 
erected. He was successful in his calling, and at 
his decease left a goodly amount of property. He 
was born in 1800, and died when in his fifty-ninth 
year. 

Our subject is the only survivor of three chil- 
dren comprising the parental famil}-. He was 
educated in the German tongue, and on the death 
of his parents purchased the interest of liis two 
sisters in the home farm. This, with the one hun- 
dred .acres of which ho was already the projjrietor, 
made a handsome estate. In addition to the cul- 
tivation of his land he ran a threshing machine, 
and also operated a sawmill for ten years. 

December 12, 1860, Christian P. Smith married 
Miss Frances Kaiser, who was born in Hanover, 
German}', and who was six years of age when she 
came to America with her parents, Hiram and Hel- 
ena Kaiser, they settling in this county. Her parents 
died at the respective ages of seventy-six and 
eighty -seven years. Mrs. Smith was one in a family 
of eight children, and by her union with our subject 
has become the mother of nine children, six of 
whom are living, namely: Henry P. S., who is at 
home; Edward L., in charge of the bank in Ellin- 
wood, Kan.; Emma, now Mrs. William II. Bohm; 
Clara C, wife of William R. Giese; Ida C. W. and 
Louis A., at home. 

A short time previous to his marriage our sub- 
ject made a trip to Europe, hoping thereby to ben- 
efit his health, which was poor. In 1887 he made 
another trip to Europe, and spent five months in 
sight-seeing, visiting Jerusalem and the Holy 
Land, as well as the jirincipal points of interest 
on the continent. 

After his marriage he lived in the old home un- 
til 1808, when he erected, at a cost of $10,000, one 
of the finest residences in the county. He is one 
of the most practical and progressive farmers of 



162 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



the county, :ind the nmny valiuililc iininovements 
u|)on his estate indicate his thrift. Diiiini; liis 
active 3'ears he kept abreast witii the times in agri- 
culture and was always willinu; to investigate any 
new plan which would save labor and produce l)et- 
ter crops. 

In politics Mr. Suiitli is a supporter of Republican 
principles and cast his first vole in 18.5G for .loim 
C.Fremont. In 1885-188G lie served his felhjw- 
citizens as Sujiervisor, and has always taken great 
interest in .ill ini]Movenicnls. He is a member of 
tiie German IMcthodist Kpiscopal Cliurch, witii 
wliich denomination his family are also connected. 



G^ 



^^'llli^. 



^ 



G 



'Jlllk_>'S 



^ 



TIMOTHY ORUAZ. It is to the energy and 
perseverance of such men as the subject of 
>2^' tliis sketch that the city of Highland owes 
its rapid growth and stability. Mr. Ciruaz, whose 
name has long been inseparably associated with 
the real-estate and insurance interests of Madison 
Count}-, is a native of France, and was born June 
8,1831. He is a son of John Francis and Mary 
Ann (Lerch) Oruaz. both natives of Switzerland, 
the former born in L'Isle, and the latter in Can- 
ton Berne. Coming to America in 1818, they set- 
tled near Highland, where the father engaged in 
the dairy business. In the Old Country he had 
been employed as a manufacturer of umbrellas. 
His wife died in 18r)G, and in 18G8 he returned to 
spend his last days amidst the scenes of early life 
in Switzerland, where he passed away January 13, 
1881. 

The only child of his parents, Timothy' Gruaz 
was given the best educational advantages his na- 
tive land afforded, and was for some time a stu- 
dent in the University of lierne, Switzerland. At 
the age of seventeen ho left school in order to ac- 
company his parents to America, and after settling 
in Madison County, he was employed as a "home 
te.acher" in this and St. Clair Counties. However, 
in those early days few poupio of this section could 



afford to employ a private tutor, and frequently 
Mr. Oruaz woulil find himself without work. At 
such times he would accept any lionorable position 
that was offered, at various intervals working on a 
farm, digging wells, splitting rails, etc. 

In 1H,")3 Mr. (iruaz was employed as a private 
teacher in the home of Adolpli Handelier, of High- 
land, then Consul of tlie Mississippi A'ailey for the 
Swiss (iovernment. In addition to his duties as 
instructor he kept books for the Consul, and aided 
him in the ofllce. Up(m the establishment of the 
banking house of F. Ryhiner cV Co., July 1, 1854, 
he was chosen Cashier, and remained in that posi- 
tion for five years, meanwhile employing his 
leisure time in teaching a singing school. 

Upon retiring from the bank, Mr. Gruaz formed 
a partnership with Messrs. Ilugy Si Handelier, and 
under the firm name of T. Gruaz & Co. opened a 
general mercantile store, platting the town of Se- 
bastopol, five miles southeast of Highland. He 
continued the head of this firm until 18G2, when 
he disjx>sed of his interest in the store and era- 
barked in journalism, publishing the Highland 
Bute. In 1868 he disposed of the newspaper and 
m.ado a trip to his native country, taking his fa- 
ther back with him. 

Returning the same year, Mr. Gruaz opened a 
real-estate and insurance otlice in Highland, and 
has since conducted a lucrative liusiiiess in that 
line. He has been a Notary Public since I85G. In 
1881 he was sent to Mexico by a mining company 
as an expert to examine titles, and lomaincd there 
for months procuring the desired information. A 
stanch Democrat ever since old enough to cast his 
vote, he is prominent in politics in this section. 
In 18G8 he was a delegate to the National Conven- 
tion that nominated Seymour, representing the old 
Twelfth District with General Sparks. Uo has fre- 
quently served as a member of the Fxeciitivc Com- 
mittee. During the last Presidential campaign 
(1892), he served on the Democratic State Central 
Committee, and was Chairman of the Committee 
on Club Organization. 

With the growth and prosperity of Highland, 
Mr. Gruaz has long been intimately associateil. He 
was one of the principal factors in starling the 
milk condensing factory at Highland, and was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



163 



also one of the first members of the Sharpshooters' 
Society. Moi-e than forty years ago he aided in 
setting out the four rows of trees leading to the 
park, a distance of more than a mile; these trees 
now form a perfect arch ovei- the road, and add 
greatly to the beauty of the drive. 

Socially, Mr. Gruaz is a Knight Templar Mason, 
belonging to the commandery at Belleville, and 
was at one time Master of the blue lodge at High- 
land. In musical circles he li.as always been a 
leader, nnd at the present time is serving as Presi- 
dent of the Central Illinois Sangerbund Festival. 
As an author he has also gained considerable note, 
and under the nom de plume of "Uncle Tim," has 
publisiied several works, including "Among the 
Tramps" and "Tell the Truth." 
_,Mr. Gruaz remained a bachelor until forty -one 
years of age. In the year 1872 he married 
Mrs. Josephine Rueggcr, widow of George Rueg- 
ger, a pioneer of Madison County and Sheriff 
in 1865-G6. For further information regarding 
the family, the reader is referred to the sketch of 
her son, Adolph Ruegger, Secretary of the High- 
land INIilling Company, and formerly Treasurer of 
Madison County. Mr. and Mrs. Gruaz have a 
pleasant home in Highland, and are prominent in 
the best circles of the community. 




eHARLES G. HAGNAUER, a successful bus- 
iness man of Highland aud seniormember of 
the hardware firm of Hagnauer & Knoebel, 
was born January 10, 1844, on a farm one and one- 
half miles west of Highland. His father, William, 
was born at Aarau, Switzerland, in 1800, and in 
his native land learned the trade of a wheelwright. 
Emigrating to America in 1833 he settled in Mad- 
ison County, 111., upon the farm where Charles G. 
was born. In 1848 he removed to St. Morgan, a 
village in this county, .nnd in 1861 embarked in 
the mercantile business at Sebastopol, also in this 
countj'. Retiring from business in 1872 he came 



to Highland, where he remained until his death, in 
1887. 

The mother of our subject, who died at the age 
of seventy-three years, was Johanna, daughter of 
John Supijiger, one of the earliest settlers of this 
part of the county. In the family there were one 
daughter and four sons, viz.: Mary, widow of 
Rt>bert Suppiger; William, a farmer of Madison 
County; Charles G.; Robert, the present Circuit 
Clerk of Madison County and a prominent poli- 
tician; and Emil, who is engaged in farming. 
Upon the home farm near Highland our subject 
spent the first four years of his life. He was a 
student in the schools of St. Morgan and Sebasto- 
pol, and at the age of sixteen became an employe 
in a store at the latter place. He continued in the 
store when his father became its owner and re- 
mained there until the latter sold out in 1872. 

Upon coming to Highland Mr. Hagnauer was a 
clerk in the hardware store of Kuhnen & Roth, his 
brothers-in-law. In 188.5, under the first adminis- 
tration of President Cleveland, he was appointed 
Postmaster at Highland, entering upon the duties 
of the office November 1 of the same year. On 
the 1st of May, 1890, he retired from office with 
an enviable reputation for efiiciency and fidelity 
to duties. He was one of the most popular post- 
masters the town h.as ever had and filled the posi- 
tion in such a manner as to win commendation 
from Democrats and Republicans alike. 

In company with Louis Knoebel, Mr. Hagnauer 
established the hardware firm of Hagnauer & Knoe- 
bel, purchasing the extensive hardware .and imple- 
ment business of his brother-in-law, George Roth. 
They now successfully conduct one of the most 
extensive establishments of the kind in the coun- 
ty, and for the wisdom and sagacity displayed in 
their transactions have won the approval of the 
public. Socially, Mr. Hagnauer is a member of the 
Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, while in his religious belief he is 
identified with the Evangelical Church. His poli- 
tics, as has probably' already been inferred, bring 
him inljO afliliation with the Democratic party. 

The lady who, January 28, 1872, become the 
wife of Mr. Hagnauer was Miss Louisa, daughter 
of Christian Kuhnen and sister of C. F. Kuhnen, 



164 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



whose sketch appears <m another page of this vol- 
ume. She (lied in 1878, leaviiiii three eliihlren, 
all of wiiom have since died, a little girl in in- 
fane3',a son at the age of seven, and another when 
seventeen. The ))resent wife of Mr. Ilagnatier 
was Miss Louisa StreifT, the daughter of Peter 
Streiff, and they arc tlie parents of two ehildren, 
Arno and lingo, now ( IH'.ll) aged six years and 
seven months respectively. 



-H-^ 



JpBRAIlAM PRICKETT was horn in Geor- 
(i^O' gia in IT'.i.'?, and was a son of George 
Ui Priekett, a native of Maryland, and a 
planter by occupation. The family was 
of English origin and was established here in 
early Colonial d.ays. (ieorgc Priekett came to Illi- 
nois about 1808, settling in IMadison County, and 
was followed some years later by his brother, 
.Jacob, who located in Bond County. They mar- 
ried the Anderson sisters, the former wedding 
Sarah Anderson. They had nine children, of 
whom Abraham is the eldest. The father followed 
farming until his death, in 18IG. 

Abraham Priekett was reared on a farm and in 
early life began trading and selling goods in Ed- 
wardsville, he being one of its first merchants. 
He married IMiss Kirkpatrick, by whom he liad 
two children: George and Ethclinda. He later 
wedded Martha, daughter of John Harris, of Con- 
neelicut. They had twin boys, Thomas ,T. and 
.John Adams, who were born in lOdwardsville May 
4, 1822. The former was married and !i:ul three 
ehihlien, .John, Planehe and .Josephine. He was 
a bricklayer and died in 1888. The father took a 
contract to dredge Red River and while there was 
taken ill with fever, passing away in 183G. His 
wife died about 182.3. In polities he was a Dem- 
ocrat, and w.as a mcmljerof the first Constitutional 
Convention of Illinois, which as.scmbled in 1818. 
In 1828 ii(^ w;is nominated for Congress, but was 
defeated by the Whig candidate. In 1H27 he 



went to ({uincy and laid out an addition ti> that 
place. In 18.30 he started with his brother-in- 
law, E. A. Wheelock, for Texas, and while en 
route made a contract for dredging Red Kiver. 
He died and was buried in Macagdaches. Mr. 
Wheelock received a large tract of land in Kob- 
ertson County, Tex., for his service in the Mexi- 
can War. Returning to Edwardsville, he died in 
this place in 181(). 

Col. .John A. Priekett, one of the most promi- 
nent citizens of Madison County, was reared un- 
der the jiarental roof, and began his education in 
a log school house with dirt floor and slab .seats. 
At the lime of his father's death he was living 
with his grandfather, but becoming dissatisfied, 
left home and took a boat down the Mississipj)! to 
St. Louis, where he w.as overtake)) by his bi-otlu>r 
George, who wanted him to return, and .agreed if 
he would do so, that his Uncle Isaac would scud 
him to school, for he much desii-cd an education. 
Put when he arrived he found that the fa)nily 
was la)-ge and concluded to go to Alton and learn 
the saddler's trade, which he did, following it un- 
til 18IC, vvhen he enlisted for the Mexican War, 
as a juember of Company E of the Second Regi- 
ment. He went as Fii-sl Lieutenant by way of 
New Oi-leans and Galveston to Victoria, and 
thence to San Antonio, wheie the troops remain- 
ed in camp for so)ne time, and tho) went to the 
R]0 Gi'ande, crossed the river and afterwards took 
part in the battle of Buena Vista. Thei'e Colonel 
Priekett w.as severely wounded in the shoulder by 
a )nusket ball and was ordered ho)ne, going by 
w.ay of Meta)noi'a, New Orleans and the Missis- 
sippi to Edwardsville, where he arrived in 1817. 

Soon afterwai-ds ISIr. Priekett w.as elected Re- 
cordei-, and later was County Clerk, serving in 
those two positions for fourteen yea)'s, when, 
becomi))g tired of oflicial life, he bought a steam 
(louring mill, which he opeiated i)))til it was 
burned dow)), about 1869. He the)) o)gani/.ed the 
J. A. Priekett ife Sons Bank, with which he has 
since been connected. It is one of the oldest and 
most substantial ba))ks of the county, having a 
capital stock of * 100,000. 

Colo))el Priekett was )narried November 4, 1847, 
to Elizabeth M., daughter of .lulius 1.. and Polly 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



165 



(Gonterman) Barnesback. The mother's family 
were relatives of Martha AVashington. Their chil- 
dren arc Julius S.; Clara P., wife of AVilliain II. 
Jones; Minnie P., wife of Cyrus Happy; Ilanis 
E. and Jessie E. 

When Madison Count3' was changed into town- 
ship organization Colonel Prickett was elected 
Supervisor, serving two years, and when Edwards- 
ville hecaine a city, he was elected its first Mayor, 
serving two terms. He is a Democrat in politics 
and has served as a delegate to the various con- 
ventions. He owns valuable mining interests in 
Murray Gulch, Idaho, and a large ranch about 
forty miles east of Spokane, Wash. He is a char- 
ter member of the Odd Fellow and Masonic so- 
cieties of Ed wardsville, and has taken the Royal 
Arch degree. His wife belongs to the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. The Colonel has a commodious 
residence, situated in one of the suburbs of the 
town, in the midst of extensive grounds, tasteful- 
ly laid off and adorned with trees, shrubs and 
flowers. The home is beautifully furnished and 
supplied with works of art and many choice books 
to entertain him and his family and old friends. 
He is happily and quietly speeding the evening 
of his days amid the esteem and confidence of all 
who know him. 



(^ 



(^ 



'-^^ 



-^^ 



1^' 



^ 



\i-^ L. KOENEMAN, who is engaged in gen- 
eral merchandising and is serving as Post- 
master and railroad and express agent at 
Dorsey, is a wide-awake and enterprising 
citizen, who takes an active interest in ever}'- 
thing pertaining to the welfare of the coniinunity 
and has done much for its upbuilding. He was 
born in Westphalia, German}-, July 21, 1810, and 
is a son of Peter and Eliza (Slaats) Koeneman, 
who were also natives of Westphalia. In 1853 
the father came with liis family to America, mak- 
ing his wa}' direct to St. Louis, whence he went 
to Jefferson County, Mo., there locating on a farm. 



In 1854 he purchased a half-section of land from 
the Government at twelve and a-lialf cents per 
acre and at once began to cultivate and improve 
it. There he remained until 1858, when he sold 
out and removed with his family to St. Louis. By 
trade he was a rope maker and made rope for 
Becker <t Brant, who carried on one of the largest 
rope manufactories of the country. He died at 
the age of sixt3'-nine years, and his wife died in 
the home of our subject when seventy-four years 
of age. 

In the Koeneman family were seven children, 
four sons and three daughters: Louisa, tlic widow 
of Henry Gerken; Heniy L., William E.; Caroline, 
wife of Henry Tretschler; Christine, deceased; Au- 
gust and Lewis. 

Our subject was a lad of thirteen summers when 
with his parents he crossed the brin^' deep to the 
New World. He acquired a good general educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native land and 
of this countiy. He remained with his father un- 
til 1858, when he went to St. Louis and there 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed 
until the breaking out of the Civil War. He was 
among the first to enlist in the three months' 
service, becoming a member of Company D, Fifth 
Missouri Infantrv. He remained at the front seven 
mouths and was made First Sergeant. On the ex- 
piration of that period he returned to St. Louis, 
where he worked at his trade until 1864, when he 
started in the wood and coal business, which he 
conducted successfully until 1869. In that year 
he sold out and came to Moru Townshi|(, Madison 
County, locating on the Hatcher farm, which he 
rented for twelve years. In 1881 he purchased 
(iroperty in Dorsey and established a general store, 
since which time he has carried on a successful 
business as a merchant. 

In St. Louis, in 1863, Mr. Koeneman was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary Budde, who was born 
in Germany March 10, 184:4, and was a child of 
two 3'cars when she was brought by her parents 
to this country. She died July 8, 1893. Eleven 
children were born of their union: Edward, who is 
married and lives in St. Louis; Ella L., who was 
born in St. Louis; Paulina, deceased; Charlie and 
Adoljjh, who were born in St. Louis; Henry, Chris- 



166 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tina, Lewis, William, Marliu :iii(l llvniiaii, all of 
whom arc natives of IMailison CounU-. 

In his polilical views Mr. Koeiienian is a Denio- 
tral. In IMSl he was apixiinleil Ij3' President 
Garlield as Poslniaster of Dorscy, whieli position 
lie has since lilled in a creilitaljle and acceptable 
manner. He has also been railroad and express 
agent since that ^year. For nine years he served 
as Soliool Director, was Hoad t'oniniissioncr one 
term, and in 1890 was elected Sui)ervisor. His pub- 
lic duties have ever been discharged in a proni|)t 
and able manner, and his ellicienl service has won 
liini high commendation. In addition to his other 
property he owns one hundred acres of line farm- 
ing land and twelve acres in his home place. He 
IS doing a good business and receives therefrom a 
handsome income, which is well deserved, for he is 
industrious and enterprising. The community 
recognizes in him a valued citizen, and with pleas- 
ure we [)resent to our readers this record of his life. 



'^-- 



=+ 



\f|OIlN RUSSKLL Np:WMAN is a retired 
I farmer living on section 11, Ft. Russell 
-::^l T(twnship, where he owns one hundred 
l^^/ acres of land. Me was born in this town- 
ship October 19, 1818, on the estate now in the 
possession of the lUirroughs family. Our subject 
is the son of Zadock Newman, who was born in 
Pennsylvania in the year 1789. The latter was the 
son of .Josei)h Newman, a native of Ireland, who 
came to the United States with his parents prior 
to the Kevolulionary War, in which conllict he and 
several of his brothers participated. 

In 1801 Joseph Newman made his advent inUj 
this state with his family, the journey being made 
down the Ohio River on llatboats to Cincinnati, 
whence they came overland to St. Louis, in which 
cit}' they were joined by the father, who had re- 
mained with the boats. The grandparents of our 
subject remained in the Mound City f<(r a short 
time and then came to this county, making settle- 



ment ill Ft. Russell Township, which has been the 
abiding place of the family ever since. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Maltha Ewing, whose cousin. Finis Fwing, was 
one of tiie founders of the Cumberland Presbyte- 
rian Church, to which most of the family belonged. 
Our subject availed himself of the only opportu- 
nity for gaining an education and atleiidi'd the 
subscription schools, which were conilucted duiing 
the winter season. Like many who were reared in 
those days, however, he has by reading and study 
acfpiired a fund of practical informalitin, which is 
often more useful than a college education. 

At the age of seventeen young Newman started 
out in life for himself, working for a time by the 
month. SliDilly afterward he rented land and 
began the life of a farmer, which has been his oc- 
cupation ever since. He has a line estate, which 
he now rents. He was married December 24, 1845, 
to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Henry and Fiances 
(Walton) lielk, natives of England, the former 
born in Yorkshire, and the latter in London. Mrs. 
Elizabeth Newman was born in the former county 
January 14, 1820, and was in her tenth year at the 
time the removal was made to the I'niled .States. 
Her parents located first in Baltimore, and in 1835 
came to Alton, this state, where they made their 
home for five j-cars. From there the^' removed to 
Omphghent Township, where the mother died in 
18Gt. After that the father lived with our sub- 
ject until his decease, which occurred a few houi-s 
after completing his ninety-fifth birthday. Febru- 
ary 3, 1883. 

Mr. Newman and his wife are members of the 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Liberty Prai- 
rie, in which our subject is one of the pillars, and 
h.as been a Deacon for over thirty years. In iioli- 
tics ho w.as reared a Whig, but on the disorganiza- 
tion of that party he allied himself with tiie Dem- 
ocrats and has continued to work for their success 
since that time. Although never an oflice seeker, 
he has been called ujron to serve in various posi- 
tions of trust, and for many yeare wiis Road Coni- 
niissioner and .Supervisor. 

Our suliject is one of the oldest natives of the 
county now living and can relate many an inter- 
esting tale of life in the early days. His parents 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



167 



were living here at the time of the Indian massa-' 
ere, and Mr. Newman well remembers old Ft. Rus- 
sell and the apple trees which were planted there. 



lJ^I.-I^|i^^^=^ 



Vt? OSEPH BLATTNER is one of the most suc- 
cessful dairy farmers in Madison County^ 
and is at the present time holding the of- 
fice of President of the Highland Dairy 
Association, besides being the proprietor of tlie 
new creamery in that city. IMr. Rlattner was born 
near Higiiland, October 17, 1840, and is tlie son 
of Joiiaunas Blattner, who was a native of (Switzer- 
hind, where he was married to Anna l>lattner, wlio, 
altlioiigh bearing tlicsanie name, was not a relative. 
Johannas Blattner was an agriculturist, and on 
emigrating to America in December of 1824, 
located on a farm four miles east of Highland, 
where he became one of tlie leading men and 
lived until January', 1853. His wife survived 
him many years, departing this life in 1876. 
The elder Mr. and Mrs. Blattner reared a fami- 
ly of seven sons and two daughters, all of whom 
reached maturity. Four of the sons served as 
soldiers during the late Civil War. They were, 
.Samuel and Henry, now deceased; Cliarles, now 
living in Effingham, tliis state; and Daniel, wlio 
makes liis home in St. Louis. John, who is the 
eldest brother, is a resident of Highland, and 
while he has never been admitted to the Bar, has 
jiracticed in the courts for forty years, and has 
cliarge of many valuable estates. Anotlier son, 
Andrew, is a retired farmer and makes his home 
in that city. 

The original of this sketch was the sixtli of the 
parental family, and was a lad of eleven 3'ears 
when he was deprived of the care of Ins father. 
He obtained but little schooling, and prior to his 
obtaining liis majority it fell upon liim to take 
the lead in farm work, and so well did lie man- 
age affairs as to be soon classed among the well- 
to-do farmers around his home. He was married 
October 7, 1865, to Miss Margaret Buchter, and 



two years later located on the farm on which he 
is at present residing, it being situated a little 
over a mile from Highland. There he has a 
model estate and makes a specialty' of dairying. 

On the establishment of the Helvetia Milk 
Condensing Companj', our subject took stock in 
the same, and through his intluence the company 
was enabled to dispose of many shares to farmers 
in this county. The establishment has been of 
great value to the farmers, it being a place 
where they can dispose of all their milk. Mr. 
Blattner is said to be the first man to deliver 
milk to the factor}'. He has also been a lead 
ing factor in the organization of a creamery 
in Highland, of which he was made President. 
This has also been received with great favor by 
the dairymen, as it creates a market for large 
quantities of milk and gives the farmers a chance 
to increase their herds. 

Our subject has always been a Republican in 
politics, but has never had time or inclination to 
hold office other than to represent his district on 
the School Board. He is a member of the Madi- 
son County Dairymen's Association, and at its 
last meeting read a very able article, which was 
the product of his pen. 

Mr. and Mrs. Blattner have two daughters, 
Lena and Josephine, and an adopted son, Kmil. 
They are members in good standing of the Evan- 
gelical Protestant Church, in which they take an 
active interest, and to which they contribute lib- 
erally. 



+= 



=+ 



aHRISTIAN -KUETHE, who successfully fol- 
- lows farming on section 24, Moro Town- 
shi[), is one of the worthy German citizens 
of Madison County. He was born in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, March 20, 1826, and is a son of Henry and 
Mary C. (Kiioclie) Kuetlie, who were also natives 
of the same locality and there spent their entire 
lives. The father was a farmer b}- occupation and 
his death occurred at the age of fifty-two years, 
liis wife was called to the home beyond when 



168 



rUKTKAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



about suventy-two yi'ars of aye. Tlii-y were the 
parents of three children, Ilciuy, who eaii'ies on 
farming iu Moro Township; Mary C, who died in 
Germany; and Clinstian. 

The Last-named was rearecl in llie FalhtMland 
and at'iiuired his education in the public sciioois. 
lie worked at liome upon the farm until he hail at- 
tained his majority, and in (!crnian_v in IHiJl he 
w.as married to Mist^ Catherine Hauch. They lived 
in Uesse-Darinstadt until 1853, when they crossed 
the ocean in a sailing-vessel, which after a voyage 
of sixly-tluce days dropped anchor in the harbor 
of New Orleans. They went up the river to St. 
Louis, thence came to Madison County, and Mr. 
Kuethe rented a farm in Moro Township, upon 
which he lived for two years. In IHoO he pur- 
chased sixty acres of raw land, built a small fiamc 
house of one room, and began clearing and de- 
veloping the farm. Here he Las since made his 
home, but the valuable and highly improved farm 
of to-day bears little resemblance tu thai of forty 
years ago. He has now two luuulrcd acres under 
a high stale of cultivaluin, a sul)slantial frame res- 
idence, commodious barns and oilier necessary out- 
buildings. The place is divided mlo lields of con- 
venient size by good fences and an air of neatness 
and thrift pervades the place. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kuethe became the parents of 
twelve children, live sons and seven daughlers: 
Katie, who died in (iermany; Mary, wife of Will- 
iam Goebel, a farmer of Moro Township; Henry, 
who is married and follows farming in Moro 
Towushi|); Louisa, wife of Williaui Duslniann, of 
the Siimc township; Charlie, who is married and 
lives in Madison County ; Christina, wife of Henry 
Isenberg, of Madison CV)unly; Katie, wife of Fred 
Meyer, an agriculturist of Olive Township; Will- 
iam, of St. Louis; Fred, who died at the age of two 
years; Leona, deceased wife of Ivnesl Hohengar- 
dcu; Lewis and Sophia, at home. 

Mr. Kuethe voles with the l\eiiublican i)arly, 
and he and his family are all members of the Lu- 
theran Church, in which he is now serving as 
F.Ider. He aided in organizing the churi'li in tlus 
township and contributes liberally lo its support. 
All worthy public enterprises lind in him a friend 
and his aid is "iven to those interests which are 



calculated to promote the general welfare. We 
take great pleasure in presenting this record of his 
life to our readers, knowing that it will |)rove of 
inleresl to manv- 



^'OSEPII N. M.KKK is a noteworthy farmer 
and citizen of Madison County, who by 
indefatigable iudustr}', perseverance and 
'^i^/' good common sense raised himself from 
moderate circumstances to allluence. and is U)-<lav 
one of the wealthy men of the community. He is 
now living on section "23, Edwardsville Township, 
where he has four hundred and thirty acres of ex- 
cellently tilled land. 

Mr. McKee was bom May -1, IH3'.), in this coun- 
ty, (jn l!ie estate adjoining his own, and is the son 
of Robt'rl and Nancy (Cornelison) IMcKee, whom 
it is Ihoughl were natives of Kentucky. The}' 
spent many years of their life in this state, how- 
ever, where they weie among its earliest settlers. 

Joseph N. had four sisters and two lirothers and 
is the only scm now living. Two of his sisters 
slill survive, however, and one of them makes her 
home in Mis.souri, and the other in thiscounly. 
Young McKee remained under the (larenlal roof, 
where he was given a good education and trained 
to farm pursuits, until .Ai)ril 2, I8G8, when he was 
married lo .Miss .lane 1. Barnsback, whose birth 
occurred in this county September 5, IHU!. 'I'lie 
la<ly was the daughter of William and Nancy S. 
(Wall) IJarnsback. 

Suon after his marriage the subject of this 
sUclch bought a farm of eighty acres, which is now 
included in his present valuable estate and which 
he cultivated in such a prolilable manner thai he 
was soon eiialiled lo add lo it another eighty-acre 
tract. He now owns, together with the two hun- 
dred and lifty acres to which his wife holds the 
title, over four bundled acres of some of the finest 
farming land in IMadison County. The pl.ace is 
noticeable for its neat and substantial buildings, 
as well as the appearance of thrift, which shows that 




n 



JOHN WIv.WF.R. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



171 



the owner is a careful iiianag-er and understands 
tbe best methods of conducting his work. 

Mrs. McKee was educated at Monticello Sem- 
inary and it is largel}' due to her efforts that our 
subject has attained to his present high standing 
among the substantial agriculturists of this sec- 
tion. To them were born five children, of whom 
Wilber died wlien an infant of eight mouttis. 
William Warren was born June 26, 1871; Robert 
I., March 15, 1874; Louis A., August 8, 1878; and 
.Jessie R., December 8, 1881. Mrs. McKee is a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and gives liberally of her means toward the 
furtherance of the good works near their home. 
They are determined to give their children the 
best advantages for an education, and the eldest 
sou, who is a most promising 3'oung man, is a 
graduate of the Gem City Business College, at 
Quincy. Mr. McKee has always voted with the 
Democratic party, and his interest in educational 
affairs has caused him to serve on the .School 
lj<:)ard, on which he has rendered efficient service 
for a quarter of a century-. He is a man of strong 
convictions, and as an earnest and public-spirited 
citizen commands the regard of all his friends and 
neighbors, as does also Mrs. McKee. 



]||'OIIN WEAVER is probably one of the best 
known men within the limits of Madison 
County. He was Postmaster at Omphghent 
for twenty yeai-s in succession, besides hold- 
ing numerous local oUices of trust and responsi- 
bility. In 1857 he was elected Count}' .Superin- 
tendent of Schools, which position he held for 
ten years, and for nearly hajf a century has been 
.Justice of the Peace. He is now living retired in 
the village of Carpenter, and although past sev- 
enty }"ears, is still hale and heart}-. 

Our subject was born in EairDeld Count}', Ohio, 
Octol.>er 15, 1816, and is the son of John and 
Mary Ann (Walters) Weaver, the former of whom 
was a native of Switzerland. He came to the 
United States in 1804, first locating near the 
city of Philadelphia, where he carried on farming 
4 



pursuits. After two years thus engaged in the 
Keystone State he removed to Ohio, and with his 
parents settled in Fairfield County, where he mar- 
ried and spent the remainder of his life. Mrs. 
Mary Ann Weaver was born in Pennsylvania, and 
after the death of our subject's father she was 
again married and removed to Muskingum Coun- 
ty, Ohio, where she departed this life advanced in 
yeai-s. 

.John, of this sketch, was one in a family of four 
children born to his parents, of whom only two 
survive. His father died four months previous to 
his birth, and he was therefore trained to a life of 
usefulness by his mother. When a lad of sixteen 
years he hired out to work on neighboring farms, 
and later served a two yeare' apprenticeship at the 
tanner's trade. September 19, 18-35, he went to St. 
Louis, Mo., where he remained only a short time 
and then walked to Edwardsville, this county, and 
here worked at whatever he could find to do. Dur- 
ing the winter season, however, he attended the 
district school, and although his opportunities 
were very limited, he gained a fair knowledge of 
books. 

June 13, 18.36, the original of this .sketch and 
Miss Ann M., daughter of Frederick and Catherine 
(Klechner) Handshy, were united in marriage. 
Her father was a native of Switzerland and came 
to America when a young man, settling in Illinois 
in 1833. He located near the present home of our 
subject and carried on farm pursuits until his de- 
cease, at the age of sixty-five years. His good 
wife, who was born in Pennsylvania, also died in 
that place at the advanced age of eighty-five years. 
They reared a family of twelve children. 

Mrs. Weaver departed this life in Carpenter 
July 4, 1891, when in her seventy-ninth year. 
She had been the mother of two children, Alson 
F., bom in 1838; and Mary C, born in 1840. The 
latter is deceased. The son is finely educated, be- 
ing a graduate of the Wcaleyan (Ohio) University. 
While in attendance at that school he met and 
later married Miss Martha A. Dunn, who was born 
near Zanesviile, Ohio. He is now living on a farm 
near Nokomis, this state, in the cultivation of 
which he is making a success. He fought as a 
Union soldier during the late war as a member of 



172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAIMIICAL RKCORD. 



Colli|mnv U, DiU' llmidiTil iiml Si'vi'iiloi'iitli Illi- 
nois liifanliT, si'iviiii; a in'iiod v( tliii'o voar.s. 

Wliilo !i l)i)v living in Ohio, our sulijcct worked 
out for ^3 por inontli for oiio yoar, and llic fol- 
lowing; year ri'('i'i\i'd llio uiajjnilicont .simi of ^C 
por nionlli. In tlie spriny of lt<.'l7 hi- ronlod prop- 
erty , upon wliit'li 111' ronininvd for two years. He 
then inuehased ninety aeres of wihl prairie hind, 
wliieh he phieed nnih-r eultivation, and ereeteiJ 
thereon a frame house sixteen feel square. In 
that tiie family lived until 181;'), when it was re- 
phu-ed liy a briek residenee, whieh sliH.)d until 
1865. That year Mr. Weaver coini)leted a mueli 
more sul)st;inlial and loniniodious dwelling;, also 
of l>riek, in whieh he made his home until moving 
'to Carpenter in 18iS2. lie is the proprietor of over 
live hundred aeres of land, whieh, as we have seen, 
wiis gained by industry anil ijood management on 
Lis part. 

Mr. and Mrs. Weaver have |)erformed the part 
of parentis to eight orphans, besides a niece and 
nephew, whom they have reared and started out 
well in life. As slated in our opening paragraph, 
Mr. Weaver has been .'Superintendent of Schools, 
Justice of the Peace, Supervisor for twelve years 
and Postmaster, lie cast his tirst Presidential vote 
for Martin \'an Huren, and since that time has 
continued ti> vole the Democratic ticket. He was 
the tirst President of the Old .Settlers' .Society, and 
after serving seven years, refused to hold ollice 
any longer, lie is an old settler and one of the 
most prominent men in the county, and well <le- 
scrves the high esteem in which he is held. 



1^1% 



^^-*<| 




nol.PIl ANTHONY SlPPHiKK. who was 
formerly Superintendent of .Schools of 
I*' Madison County, and who now makes his 
home in Kilwardsville, was born in High.- 
land, lll...lanuary '27, KS-lo, and is a son of Anthony 
and Monica (Wiekenliause) Suppiger. His father 
wa:> born in Sui-see, Canton Luzerne, .Switzerland, 




and his wife was a native of IJadou, Germany. The 
former came to the United States in 1H31 , locUing 
in what is now Highland, and afterward, in connec- 
tion with his brothers, .losepli, IJernard, Godfrey 
M. and David, established the lirstllouring mill in 
the county. It is still in operation and is known 
as the .Suppiger Mill. The father of our subject 
afterward engaged in farming on a tiact of land 
whieh he purchaseil near Highland, on whieh he is 
still living, a well preserved old gentleman of 
eighty years. When the mail line was oi)eneil he 
was the first mail carrier in this locality. In [lol- 
ilics he is a KepubliiaM. and has held the otiiccs of 
Const^dile. County Commissioner and School 
Treasurer, discharging his duties with promptness 
and fidelity. 

Mr. Suppiger was married about lull to ^Hss 
Wiekenliause and they became the iiarents of ten 
children: Adolph, lunil, Mrs. Julia Ammann, 
-Sophia, ICliza, Ida, Leo and three who died in child- 
hood. The miither is also now deceased. 

Our subject was reared in the usual manner of 
farmer la<ls and aeipiired his early education in the 
common .schools, after which he attended the .Stale 
Normal I'liiversity, from which he wfis graduated 
in the Class of '(>."). He then engaged in teachiug 
for two years in Marine, after which he was a|i- 
poinled Principal of the schools of Highland, thus 
serving for six years. At the .same time he eon- 
ducted a bot)k and music store at that place. In 
1.S7;! lie W.1S elected County Superintendent of 
Scln>ols of Madisiui County, which position he held 
for four yeai-s. He 1877 he removed to Pierron, 
where he devoted his time and energies to mercan- 
tile inirsuitj? for several years. He then came to 
Edwardsville, and continued in the same business 
until 188l>, when he w.is again elected to the office 
of County Superintendent, serving until \S\>0, 
with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- 
stituents. The next enterprise which engrossed 
his attention was the hardware business, whieh he 
followed for two years, when lieagain embarked in 
merchandising in connection with N. K. IJosen at 
his old place. This partnership still continues and 
they are doing a gooil business. 

In Highland, on the lOlli of November, 187(1, 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Suppiger and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



173 



Miss Leali P. Kaer, a native of Switzerland and a 
daughter of Jacob K. and Louisa (l-'acs^') llaer. 
Six cliildren graced their union: Louisa, Albert E., 
Edwin ()., Nina L., Theodore and (Jrville. With 
the exception of Theodore all are yet living. 

Sir. Suppiger is serving as a member of the 
.School Hoard of Edwardsville, and has been an 
earnest worker in the interests of education, doing 
much for its promotion in this locality. In poli- 
tics he is a Hcpnlj|ican,and socially he is a member 
of Edwardsville Lodge No. 90, A. F. ik A. M., and 
Pomegranate Camp, M. W. A. lie is a highly es- 
teemed citizen, one who has done nnicli for the up- 
building of the community, and his well spent 
life is worthy of emulation. 






REDEHICK W. WOLF is numbered among 
the native sons of Edwardsville, the date 
of his birth being April .30, 1840. His 
parents, Frederick A. and Caroline Henrietta 
(Fix) Wolf, were both born on the Rhine, in Ba- 
varia, the former November .30, 181.3, and the lat^ 
ter ^Lirch 17, 1819. The father was a son of 
Frederick Wolf, a native of Bavaria, who followed 
merchandising and farming. The maternal gi-and- 
father, Philip Fix, was a native of Alsace, France, 
and served in the armv under Najxjleon as a cav- 
alryman, being present at the burning of Mos- 
cow. In 1837 he emigrated to America, settling 
in Belleville, 111., whence he came to Edwardsville 
in 1838. He died March 10, 1865, in the house 
now owned by our subject. 

Frederick A. Wolf crossed the Atlantic in 1832 
and became clerk in the Monongahela House, of 
Pittsburgh. In 183.5 he returned to his native 
land on a visit. Having removed to Belleville, 
111., he there resided until 1838, when he came to 
Edwardsville. By occupation he was a farmer, 
and in politics he was a Democrat until 1856, 
since which time he has supported the Republican 
party. His religious views are th<jse of the Lu- 
theran Church. He now occupies the home ad- 



joining that of his son, but his wife pa.ssed away 
May 18, 1877. They were the parents of live 
children: F. W., Adolphus P., Otto E., Dr: Theo- 
dore R., and Matilda, widow of .James R. Brown. 

Mr. Wolf was reared in his parents' home, 
where he became familiar with all departments of 
farm work. When a young man he embarked in 
the hardware business, which he carried on for four 
years in connection with his brother A. P. They 
also engaged in grain buying. After a time tUay 
sold the hardware store, and in 1880 organized the 
Wolf Coal Mining Company', which is engaged in 
operating the coal mines in Edwardsville. It had 
a capital stock of $30,000. In 1891 the business 
was sold to the Madison Coal Company'. Our 
subject is now engaged in coal dealing and also 
carries on his farming interests. Part of his land 
lies within the corporation limits of the city. 

On the 27th of May, 1880, in Philadelphia, Pa., 
Mr. Wolf was united in marriage with Miss Anna 
C, daughter of Ignatius G. and Caroline (Fichcr) 
Kohlcr. Her father was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
man}', .January 30, 1817, and her mother February 
12,1819. They were married in Neufchatel, Switzer- 
land, and on emigrating to the United .States located 
in Philadelphia, where Mr. Kohler engaged in the 
book binding and publishing business, and this 
he yet follows. He and his wife are members of the 
Lutheran Church. He tiikes a prominent part in 
politics, often making campaign sj>eeches, and sup- 
ports the Republican [larty. In the Kohlcr fainil}- 
were twelve children, .seven 3'et living, namely: 
Amelia, wife of Charles Brossman, of Philadel- 
phia; Herman; R«jsa, wife of Dr. T. R. Wolf, of 
Newark, Del.; Mrs. Wolf, of this sketch; Altx;rt, of 
Philadelphia; Frank, of Chicago, and E. C. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have one child, Elsa C. He 
Ux) votes with the Republican partj- and is one of 
its stalwart advocates, but has never been an office 
seeker. On one occasion, however, he was a can- 
didate for the Board of Ecjualization but was de- 
feated, as the Deinocrac3' has a majority. He is a 
Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Knights 
of Pythias. 

Mr. Wolf Ls now living in one of the oldest 
houses of Edwardsville, a brick structure which 
his father purchased about 1838. He has remod- 



174 



PORTRAIT AND BKXJUAPIIICAL RECORD. 



olcd and nddcd to il and now has one of the Quest 
and most comniodiuiis rusidonccs of the city. 
There are few men belter known in Madison 
County, and none are more popular tlian Kritz 
Wolf, whose genial, soeiiil ipialities win him many 
friends, lie is UiU, straight as an arrow, well pro- 
jiortioncd and of dignified address. His homo, 
presided over by his aceomplished wife, is a favor- 
ite resort for their many friends. On the 28tli of 
April, 1891, his (ifty-foiirth birthd.ny, about lifly 
guests gathered at his home, including the whist 
club, which presented him with a line gold headed 
ebony cane as a mark of the high esteem in which 
they held him. He is respected by all, young and 
old, rich and poor. 



>^^^^il-^i"«^^ 







DOLPHUS PHILIP WOLF, a leading 
hardware merchant of Edwardsvillc, is 
known for his strict integrity in business 
and- his sterling worth. His honorable, 
upright career well entitles him to representa- 
tion in the history of his native county. He was 
born in this city .lune 11, 1811, and is a son of 
Frederick A. and Caroline Wolf, who are men- 
tioned elsewhere in this work in the sketch of 
F. W. Wolf. In the usual manner of farmer lads 
he was reared, working in the lidds through the 
summer months and allcnding the public schools 
in the winter season. At the age of seventeen he 
went to Philadelphia, Pa., to hiarn the trade of 
coachmaking, and there remained until the break- 
ingout of the Rebellion, when he look up arms in 
the defense of his eountr3', enlisting in Company 
F, Nineteenth Pennsylvaiiia Infantry. The regi- 
ment went into camp at liallimore, where the^' 
remained for four months, taking the place of 
the Sixth Mass.aehusetts. On the expiration of 
that period they returned to Philadelphia and 
were mustered out. 

Mr. Wolf then came to Illinois, and on the 
lltli of August, 18(52, re-enlisted in Comiiaiiy F, 
One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantrv. 



He aided in raising this I'cgiincnt, which went 
to Camp ISutler, and from there to Memphis, 
Tenn., where they joined the Sixteenth Army 
Corps. He was Color IJearer in the battles of 
Ft. Ripley, Ple.asant Hill, Tupelo, Nashville and 
Mobile, and in various skiriiiishcs. His regiment 
captured two stands of ct)lois, four hundred ••iiid 
forty-two i)risoners, eight pieces of artillery, and 
many stands c)f arms. Mr. Wolf was mustered 
out August G, lS(>r>, at Camp IJuller. For about 
two years afterward lie was ill with swamp fever, 
and being unable to work, attended IJryant iV 
Stralton's Commercial College of .St. Louis. He 
was then in different lines of business for a time, 
and in March, 18G',i, located in ImI wardsville. 

Here Mr. Wolf became a member of the linn of 
Jud}', Wolf ife Burroughs, dealers in hardware and 
agricultural implements, and this linn did busi- 
ness for a year and a-lialf, when Mr. ,ludy retired. 
In the spring of 1872 Mr. Wolf l)ecame sole jn-o- 
l)rietor, but afterward admitted to ))artnershi|) his 
brother F. W. In 1881 they sold out, and being 
joined by their brother Otto, engaged in the de- 
velopment of ct>al mines, under the name of the 
Wolf Coal Mining Comi)any, but in 1891 sold 
their interest to the Madison Coal ('oiii|i;my. In 
March, 1802, our subject t)nce more openei! a 
hardware and agricultural implement store, which 
he yet carries on in connection with R. E. Des- 
iiKMid. In connection with his brother !•'. W. he 
owns a farm in tlie suburbs of Edwardsvillc. He 
is doing a large and lucrative business, and a 
well deserved success is now his. 

On the 23d of December, 18i;'.», in Edwardsvillc, 
was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wolf and Miss 
Alviiia, daughter of William and Sarah (Barnett) 
Kinder. Her i)areiits had nine children, of whom 
she is the eldest and only ilaughter. Her father 
was a farmer, and both he and his wife are now 
deceased. His political views are those of the 
Democracy. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have four chil- 
dren: Charles F., Carrie, William A. and Rudolph, 
who are still under the parenUil roof. 

In politics Mr. Wolf is a stalwart Republican, 
and has several times served as City .Mderman 
and as a member of the .School Board, discharg- 
ing his duties with promptness and lidelity. So- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFXORD. 



175 



cially, he is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the 
Knights of Pytliias lod^e and of the Grand 
Army post. lie is a faithful and loyal citizen, 
and is as true to every duty as when on southern 
battlefields he followed the Old Flag, which now 
floats triumphantly over the united nation. 



I®'@l:i^i^ 




KV. PETER ILGEN has been following a 
calling which is the noblest to which a 
man can devote his life, and in the capa- 
|/ city of the pastor of the Evangelical Pro- 
testant Church in Highland, he has had a fruitful 
field in which to sow the seed of Christianity. 
His work has required patience, persistence and 
grace, but he is possessed of all these commendable 
qualities, and during tlie four years that he has 
been a resident of Highland, his work has been 
truly noble, and he lias laid his foundation care- 
fully and well. He is an eloquent pulpit orator; his 
sermons show much painstaking thought, and his 
illustrations are alw!i3's happy and to the point. 
He has also a wide reputation as a poet, and is 
often spoken of as the "poet preacher." 

Our subject is a native of Germany, having 
been born in Wiesbaden, July 5, 1869. His father, 
Maurice Ilgen, was a lumber merchant in the Fa- 
therland, and died when the original of this sketch 
was a lad of eight years. The estate was heavily 
involved, and when a settlement was made it was 
found that there was but little left to keep the 
widow and her two children, of whom Peter was 
the elder. His brother, Julius, remained in Ger- 
many until 1888, then came to the New World, 
and is now a prominent druggist in Chicago. 

After the decease of his father the struggle of 
life began for our subject. He was very ambitious 
to obtain an education, it being his one desire to 
enter the ministry and do what good he could for 
his fellow-men. When nineyears of age he gained 
admission to the gymnasium in his native village, 
working his way through that institution with 
what little assistance his mother was able to give 



him. After completing the course there he entered 
the University of Wartburg, from which he was 
graduated with honors in 1885, when little more 
than sixteen j-ears of age. He at once came to 
America under the direction of the Missionary 
Society, and in 1886 was ordained at Chicago as 
minister in the Union Lutheran Church, and by 
the Board of Missions was sent to Galveston, Tex. 

Mr. Ilgen remained in the south two and one- 
half years, and then on account of poor health re- 
turned to the Garden C'it3', and for some time lay 
at the point of death. Regaining his health, how- 
ever, to a certain extent, he came to Highland, 
March 1, 1890, as pastor of the Lutheran Church 
at this place, and b}' his kind and sympathetic na- 
ture at once took possession of the hearts of the 
people. The church of which he is pastor was es- 
tablished in 184.3, and at that time was the only 
church in the place. It now numbers one hundred 
and thirt}- families and has property valued at 
%18,000. 

The Rev. Peter" Ilgen is a brilliant writer of 
verse, to which accomplishment he devotes much 
of his time. In his carlj' boyhood days he was 
wont to write lines which attracted much atten- 
tion, and this no doubt encouraged him to put 
forth greater efforts, with the result that he became 
one of the most noted young poets of the day in 
his native land. In 1887, after coming to America, 
and when he was yet onl^' eighteen years of age, 
he had published in Cincinnati, Ohio, a volume of 
poems on the beauty of flowers, which had a large 
sale and which was most favorably commented 
upon. This was followed by the publication of three 
novels in German, "Thorny Paths," "The Gulf of 
Mexico," and "The Fugitive Poet." These were 
also published in Cincinnati, and like his poems, 
found a ready sale. His next work was a volume 
entitled "Songs of Nature and Religious Poems," 
the first edition of which he had published in 
Wiesbaden, Germany. The demand for this book 
was so great that in 1892 he published a second 
edition in St. Louis, Mo., and the same j-ear 
brought out in Cincinnati a volume entitled "Lec- 
tures." Since that time the productions of liispen 
have been pulilished b}' the leading German papers 
in New York, Chicago and St. Louis. He is an 



17G 



rORTRAIT AND lilOGRAl'IllCAL RECORD. 



iiiili'f;itii;:iliK' workci-, niid liis articlps arc pn^crlv 
siiuglit uftt-r, ('s|i('i'i.illy liy tlic (Icrnian-siioakiiij; 
people. 

Tlic Rev. I'olor Ili;oii was niaiiii'il in Chicago, 
•Iiiiu' 30, 18K.S, to Miss Antoiiia Carslcns, and to 
tlicni have l>een l)orn two eliildren, Ansfolica and 
AlexanchM. 'I'he mother of our suliject crossed the 
AUaiitic ill liS'.»l, and is still living, making her , 
home in tliis city. 



tii^^IlOMAS HILTON, who carries on agricult- 
^ iiral pursuit-s on section 10, Moro Town- 
^ ship, is numbered among the early settlei-s 
of Madison County, having here made his home 
since ISoO. He h.as therefore witnessed much of 
the growth and dcveloitment of this community, 
an<l has aided in its progress and advancement, 
for he feels a coinmendalile interest in everything 
pertaining to its welfare, and does all in his power 
to i)n>mote its leading enterprises. 

Mr. Hilton claims Indiana as the state of his 
nativit}'. He was born in Crawford County De- 
cember 10, 182(i, an<l is a son of William Hilton, 
a native of Tennessee. The father was roared in 
the Hoosier l^tate, and was a farmer bj' occupation. 
In 1830 he removed to Knox County, III., and 
settled upon the farm which is now the site of the 
Poor House of that county. He took great de- 
light in hunting, and was a true pioneer. In 1850 
he came with his soi< Thom.as to Madison County, 
and together they purcha.sed the farm on which 
our subject now resides, but after a short time the 
father left this locality. He lived afterward in 
various counties in this stiite and sjient a short 
time in Kansas before the war. His death occurred 
at the home of our subject at the age of sixty-live. 
The Hilton family is of Knglish descent. The 
mother, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Lan- 
diss, was born in Tennessee, and during her early 
girlhood accompanied her parents to Indiana. Her 
father was of (Jerman descent. Her mother w.as a 
native of Englanil anti was kidnapped in London 



with another young lady and put on board a 
vessel which sailed for America, where they were 
sold 1(1 pay their pjissage. Mrs. Hilton w.as called 
to the home beyond at the advanced age of eighty- 
one. 

Our subject is an onl^' child. At the .age of 
four lie accompanied his parents to Knox County, 
III., and the lirst school which he attended was 
held in the log court house in Knoxville He re- 
mained at lioiho until he had attained iiis majority, 
and then began working as a farm hand by the 
month. He broke many an acre of jirairie in Knox 
Count_v, and became familiar with all the hard- 
ships of frontier life. He was married September 
30, 1849, to Mary E. Van Pelt, who was born Oc- 
tober 1, 1830, in New .lersej', and when a child of 
seven summers came to Jersey County, III. .Six 
children were born of this union: .lolin S., who 
was born on the homestead farm October 8, 18.50; 
Mary IL, deceased; Emily W., who died in infancy; 
Ellen N., wife of Lewis Hurwell, dealer in coal, 
wood an<l feed in S|)ringlield, Mo.; Sarah F., at 
home, and Manda ■!., wife of William E. Iluestis, of 
Moro Township. All were born on the |)resenl 
home of our subject. Mary II. married Peter Lolir 
and had one son, Wilber II. , who was cared for 
by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hilton. Mrs. 
Hilton's father, Ral|)h D. Van Pelt, w.as a na- 
tive of New .lersey, and in 1837 emigrated to 
•lerse}' County, III. By trade he w.as a .shoemaker, 
but followed farming after his arrival in the west. 
He wedded Mary B. Van Hart, who was born in 
Pennsylvania, but was reared in New .lersey. Her 
father was a i)i(imineiit shoe niaiiufactiircr of Tren- 
ton. N. .1. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ilillfin began their domestic life 
upon the farm which is still their home, then an 
unimproved place. The house upon it contained 
only one room, and the greater part of the land 
was still in its primitive condition. At this writ- 
ing the farm comprises one hundred and eighty- 
four acres, is under a high state of cultivation, 
and the well tilled fields yield to the owner a 
golden tribute in return for the care and lalior he 
bestows upon them. Mr. Hilton is recognized .as one 
of the prominent farmers of the community, and 
is an inlluential citizen. He cast his lii-st vote for 



J 



POETRATT AND BTOGRAPinCAL Rp:CORD. 



177 



Zachaiy Taylor, and since Uie organization of tiie 
Republican part}- lias been one of its stalwart sup- 
porters. He scrverl as School Director for several 
j^ears, and the cause of education finds in him a 
warm friend. 



^-^ 



t^- 



"=] 



<^ )» E. HFESTIS, a practical and progressive 
\/iJ// ^'"'"^^'" ^^^^ living on section 22, Moro 
^^ Towjiship, Madison County, is a native of 
the Empire State. He was Ijorn in Westchester. N. 
Y., March 23, 18:30, and comes of one of the old 
families of that stale, having descended from 
F"rench ancestors. Ills father, Benjamin Iluestis, 
was born in New York, and became one of the 
pioneers of Madison County, 111., in 1836. Here 
he iiurchascd land from the Government in Moro 
Township, paying the usual price of $1.25 |)er 
acre, built thereon a log cabin and began the de- 
velopment of a farm. He afterward bought the 
land on which our subject now resides, and im- 
proved it until it had become one of the valuable 
places of the neighborhood. When his frame resi- 
dence was destroyed he erected a brick dwelling, 
which now stands as a monument to his thrift and 
labor. There he made his home until his death, 
which occurred at the ripe old age of eightj'-two 
years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of 
Catherine Ward, was born in New York in 179.5, 
and died in 18.58. They were the parents of three 
children, two sons and a daughter, Hiram J., of 
Montgomery County; William E., and Hannah .J., 
wife of Willis McGilvarj-, of Bond County. After 
the death of his first wife Mr. Huestis wedded 
Sarah Ma>-hew. Bj- trade he was a blacksmith, 
and did some work along that line after his re- 
moval to the west. In politics he was a Republi- 
can and w.as a well known and prominent citizen 
of the count)-, who took a leading part in public 
affairs. 

W. E. Huestis, of this sketch, has practically 
spent his entire life in Madison County, for he was 
only six years old at the time of his arrival here. 



His education was acquired in the district schools 
of Moro Township, and amid the wild scenes of 
the frontier he w.as reared, going through all the 
experiences and hardships of pioneer life. To his 
l)arents he gave the care and attention of a son 
until they were called to the home beyond. 

On the 4th of May, 1887, Mr. Huestis was united 
in marriage with Amanda J., daughter of Thomas 
and Mary Hilton. The lady is a native of Moro 
Township, born April 21, 1861, and is the young- 
est in a family of six childi-en. Their union has 
been blessed with one daughter, Mary C, born 
.June 26, 1888. Their home is upon a fine farm of 
two hundred and forty .acres, all of which is under 
a high state of cultivation, and therefore yields to 
the owner a golden tribute. He carries on general 
farming and stock-raising, and in his work dis- 
pla3's good business ability and an energy and en- 
terprise which have been the important factors in 
iTis success. In his political views he is a Republi- 
can, but has never sought or desired office, pre- 
ferring to give his time and attention to his 
business interests and the enjoyment of his home. 

Mr. Huestis has witnessed almost the entire 
growth and development of this community, has 
seen the great transformation which has taken 
place as ihe 3'ears have gone by, and has ever 
borne his part in the work of public improvement 
and advancement. He well deserves mention 
among the honored pioneers. 




PDOLPH RUEGGER. Without a sketch 
of Mr. Ruegger, well known as the Secre- 



tar3' and Treasurer of the Highland Mill- 
ing Company, this volume would be in- 
complete. He was born in Highland, September 
1, 1850, and is of Swiss parentage. His father, 
George Ruegger, who was born in Canton Luzerne, 
Switzerland, came to America in 1845 to escape 
religious persecution, and settling in Highland, be- 
came one of the leading business men of the pl.ace. 
For some time he engaged in the manufacture of 



rourwAir and I'.iiuJUAriiicAL ukcoiid. 



,st):i|i iiiul WH.s !ils(i t'(iiim'clc() willi llii' wiM.k'ii uiills. 
Ill lH(i,'(-(i(; lie .si'ivi'd as Slu'rilT of Mjiilison I'lmii- 
ly. His (loiitli (Kvurri'd in Dcwiiiber, 18(!",>. 

Tito inotlicr of our sulijcct, wlioso iiiaidoii iianio 
wns .losepliinc Dmvr, wsi.s a nalivo of Swil/.crlaud 
ami awonipaniotl her pari-nUs lo America wiii'ii 
nine years of aj;c. After tlie deatli of Mr. Kiiej;- 
<»ei- she heeaine the wife of 'riiuothv (Jnin/., a real- 
csUnle ami insuranee aj;ent of lli<j;:hiaiu1, where 
they now reside. Adolph is the eicU'st of live 
ehildreii, the i>tlieis hciiiij, Arnold P., formerly an 
insuranee adjuster in C'liieafjo, where he died in 
18',M; (leoi'jte X.. who is enjjajjed in the insuranee. 
business in St. Louis; .lose|)hine, the wife of Will- 
iam Knoebel, a nnllwrijihl of IVlleville, 111.; and 
l'".lise, wife of K. .1. IJaith, a miller of lll<;hiand. 
Col. .lulius Uaitli, father of K. .1., was a C'ni)tjiin in 
the Mexican War and a Colonel of an Illinois 
rej^jiinent in the Kehellion; while at the head of his 
rejrimenl in the l>attle of Sliiloh he w.is instantlf 
killed. 

Commeneinj; his studies in the public schools of 
Highland, Mr. Rueii;!>er was afterward a student in 
the St. Louis I'niversity, at St. Louis. He was in 
the real-est!\le and insurance liusiness with his step- 
father, Timothy (!rua/., until the fall of 1877, when 
his Democratic friends broiiijht him to the front 
and elected him County Treasurer of Madison 
County. Retirinji from that ollice in 1882 he be- 
came one of the stockholders and was elected Sec- 
retary of the Highland Milling Company, which 
position he has since hehl. The mills have a ca- 
pacity of live hundred barrels per day and the 
products are of a line grade, equal to the best. 

In addition to the ollice above mentioned, Mr. 
Ivueggcr has occupied other positions of trust. Kor 
a number of j-eare he served ns Township Treas- 
urer and also olliciated as a member of the City 
Council. At the present time he is serving on the 
Ikiard of Kducation, and w.ns formerly Chief of 
the Fire Department. Socially he is a Knight 
Templar Mason and a member of the Alton Com- 
mandery; he has filled the positions of Master of 
the blue lodge anil Secretary of the chapter. He 
is also a prominent member ()f the Turners' sin-iety. 

The marriage of Mr. Kuegger occurred February 
7, 1878, his wife being Louisa Witfgenhausor, n 



native of New Orleans and daughter of the liite 
.lolin Wiggenhau.ser. Three children complele the 
family circle, Louise, Rlieinliardt and Klise. 
Through correct business methods and force of 
character Mr. Unegger has attained a position of 
piiiiniiH'iicc among the citizens of Highland. ;iiid 
enjoys the regard of all with whom business, social 
oi polilicil interests hM\e brought him into con- 
tact. 




^<^ OTTLLl r. tirsKWKLLK. a prominent 
l|/ __ fanner and early settler of Madi.son Coun- 
^^^1) ly, now living on section S.'i. claims (Jer- 
many ns the land of his birth, which occurred in 
Prussia October 2fi, 1811. lie is the lliinl cliild 
of Fred and Anna (Rattles) Gusewelle, who are 
mentioned elsewhere in this work in connection 
with the sketch of Henry (lusewelle. When a 
young man of twenty years, he .iccompanied his 
parents on their emigration to America, going lirst 
to St. Louis, and thence to JIadison County. lie 
took up his residence in Ft. Russell Township. and 
began working :vs a farm hand, receiving |!7..')0 
per month in compensation for his services. He 
was thus cmi)l«)yed for three years, and while his 
brother Henry was in the army, he remained u])on 
the lu>ine farm caring for the family. 

Mr. (lusewelle was married in 187'.), the lady of 
his choice being Mrs. .Sophia (Neatosli) Stalhond, 
widow of (iottleibStalhoud. and a native of Prussia, 
Germany. The ytuing couple began their domes- 
tic life upon the farm where they still reside, and 
their home has been blessed by the presence of two 
children, a son and daughter, Fred and Louisa. 

Mr. Gusewelle now owns one hundred and sixty 
acres of rich and arable lantl where he now resides, 
and hiis in addition to this two hundred and eight 
acres in Oinphghent Township, making in all 
three hundred and sixty-eight acres of valuable 
land, which yields to liim a good income. He 
carries on general farniinir and stock-raising, and 




JOHN WEDIG. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



181 



in his business interests is meeting with good suc- 
cess. His fields .are well tilled, and upon his f.arnis 
are good buildings, which stand as monuments to 
his thrift and entei-prise. An air of neatness per- 
vades the place, and the owner is now regarded as 
one of the leading agrieullurists of the commu- 
nity. 

In his political views, Mr. Gusewelle is a Repub- 
lican, and warmly advocates the principles of the 
party, with which he h.as long been connected. 
He served as Trustee of his towuship for about 
seven years, the prompt and able manner in which 
he discharged the duties of the otlice winning him 
high commendation. He and his family are prom- 
inent and consistent members of the Evangelical 
Church, in which he is serving as Trustee and 
Elder. He has done much for its upbuilding, and 
ever gives his support and co-operation to enter- 
prises which are calculated to prove of public 
benefit. IMr. Gusewelle may truly be called a self- 
made man, for he started out in life empty-handed, 
and as the result of his skill and cnter|irise he has 
aciuniulated a handsome competencj-, becoming 
one of the substantial citizens of the comraunitv. 




1(g). ^mkh> .@j 

•}• *^ *^ •{• A (^ v^ v^ *S* *9* •}*•{* •{*^*{**{* 



^1/ ON. JOHN WEDIG was elected on the Re- 
publican ticket as a member of the Thirty- 
fifth General Assembly in 188G, and during 
his incumbency of that honored position 
served his constituents in a most satisfactory man- 
ner. He is one of the wealthy and [irominent 
land owners of this county, being the propiietor of 
an estate including over three hundred broad and 
well cultivated .acres, located on section 6, Name- 
oki Township. 

Our subject w.as Ijorn in Hanover, Germany, 
January 7, 1825, and is the son of John and Eliza- 
beth (Ilencke) Wcdig, the former of whom died in 
the Fatheiland when our subject was a lad of ten 
years. The latter attended the model schools of 



his native country until reaching the age of four- 
teen, when he learned the trade of a weaver, at 
which he worked until the year prior to attaining 
his majority. At that time he .set sail for the 
United States, and after landing here obtained his 
first work in St. Charles County, Mo., as a farm 
laborer at the lovf w.ages of M per month, l^ater 
he went to St. Louis, and in the spring of 1847 
enlisted in the United States armj' for service in 
the Mexican War. He saw much active service 
until the summer of 1848, when he returned to 
the Mound City under General Price. 

In 1849 our subject went to Oregon, and from 
there to California, where he arrived in December 
of that year. He remained in the Golden State for 
two and one-half years, and in July, 1852, returned 
to St. Louis, where he married. In December of the 
following year he came with his family to Illinois, 
locating upon a portion of the farm now compris- 
ing his valuable estate. He has followed farm pur- 
suits ever since, with the exception of the five 
years between 1866 .and 1872, which he spent in 
St. Louis. As before stated he now owns over 
three hundred acres, on which have been [ilaced 
the finest improvements, making of it one of the 
most attractive estates in the count}'. He has 
taken a prominent part in all enterprises set on 
foot for the betterment of this section, where he 
has resided for a period of forty-one years. 

In April, 1853, John Wedig and Miss Libertha, 
daughter of John Beck, were united in marriage. 
The latter came to this county in an early da}', 
and died at the residence of our subject at the ad- 
vanced age of ninctj--threo years. Having no 
family of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Wcdig have 
given a home to eight children, for whom they 
have cared in a kindly w.iy. Socially, he belongs 
to Lodge No. 87, I. O. O. F., in which he has 
been through all the chairs. In politics he is 
a pronounced Republican, and has taken an active 
part in the success of his party. He has served his 
township as Supervisor, during which time he ren- 
dered efficient service. He w.as elected to the Leg- 
islature in 1886, serving with honor and distinc- 
tion on various committees in that body. For the 
past fifteen years he has been Drainage Commis- 
sioner, during which time was constructed the 



182 



PORTRAIT AND BTOORAPinCAL RECORD. 



Nnnifoki it Venice Draiiiugo .ind Lovcc District. 
Kow men in .any cnmnuinity ever deserved or re- 
ceived liijjlicr esteem or more genuine frieiidsliip 
tlian li.is Mr. Wediji. 



•*^^^1:b^ y 1^^^- 



W 



■if/OIIN S. TRARES w.is for m.iny years one of 
the most snceessful merciiaiits of luhvards- 
ville, hilt retiring from business in 1892, 
lias since devoted liis attention to Ills ex- 
tensive real estate interests in Madison County. 
A native of Kirsciisiiausen, Ilesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, lie was Iiorn December 27, 1831. His par- 
ents, Matthias and Klizabeth (Ilelniling) 'I'lares, 
were also natives of that village, the former born 
in 1790. and the latter in 1792. The father, who 
was a farmer hy occupation, served in the army 
of Napoleon, having lipcn C()nscriple<l into service 
by that general after his return from Moscow. 

Kmigrating to the United States in 1839, Mal- 
thi.as Trares settled in Suflield, Portage County, 
Ohio, where ho engaged in farming. The pro|)erty 
which he iiurcluused on going to the Buckex'e 
State he continued to cultivate until his death, in 
1HS2. In politics, he supported the jilatform of 
the Democratic part}-, and in religious belief he 
was a Catholic. His wife, who was also a member 
of the Catholic Churcli. died at the home j)lace in 
1854. They were the jiarents of eight children, 
of whom Peter died in Ohio at the age of twelve 
years; Agnes, the wife of .lolin Knapp; Harbara, 
who w.as married to .John A. Cline; and Margaret, 
the wife of Henry Long, reside in Ohio. 

I'.rought to the I'nited States by his parents, our 
subject was reared uiion the Ohio farm, and in 
boyhood attended the district schools. At the 
age of fourteen he left home to make his own way 
in the world. (Joing to Akron, he was there em- 
ployed in a grocery store for two years, and in a 
drug store one year. At the expiration of three 
yeai-s he went to Cleveland and was engaged in 
the drug business. From there he went to Mau- 
mee City and embarked in the same business, re- 



maining two years. Leaving l\Iaumee Cit}', he 
went to St. Louis, where he clerked in a (b'ug 
store one year, and then opened a store of his own. 
After one 3'ear he sold out and removed to Kd- 
wardsville, where he bought out two drug stores 
and a book and toy store, starling the business on 
a more extensive scale. 

In 1863 Mr. Trares moved the store up town, 
having purchased a lot and built a store on the 
corner of Purcell and Main Streets, lie remained 
there foi' ten years and then erected a large store 
on Main Street, where for seven years he con- 
ducted a profitable trade. At the expiration of 
that lime, on account of ill hcaltli, he disposed of 
the store to Ilarnist A- Cook, binding himself not 
to resume business for live years. He fullilied his 
part of the contract, and after roiiiaining out of 
business for eight years, bought out Henry llickel- 
haupt and again entered business, occupying one 
of the stores that he owned. Two years later he 
sold til Mr. Hickelhaiipl and inimedintoly bought 
out iMr. Ilarnist, then in business alone. Taking 
into ])artii<'rship .John .Tiidd, he conducted business 
for two years, and then sold to lUirroughs ,^' Judd 
in 1892, since which time he has been retired from 
active business. 

The management of his extensive real-estate in- 
terests now occupies a considerable portion of Mr. 
Trares' time. He owns three farms in Edwards- 
ville Township, containing about three hundred 
acres, and also owns two hundred acres in Ft. Rus- 
sell Township, all of which he rents. He h.as prop- 
erty in St. Louis and Springlield, Mo., and owns 
the business block adjoining the opera house, as 
well as other ]iropertv in Edwardsvillo. His resi- 
dence on .St. Louis Street was erected in 1892, and 
contains all the modern appliances. 

SciJtonibcr 21, 18()3, at Edwardsvillo, .lohn S. 
Trares and Miss .Josephine Oerber were united in 
marriage. Mrs. Trares w.is the daughter of Martin 
and Elizabeth Oerber, the former a native of Al- 
sace, and at one time a merchant of Edwardsville; 
he died in March, 1893, at the age of eighty-two; 
his wife passed awaj' in 187.'). Mr. and Mrs. 
Trares became the parents of six children: IJertha, 
Annie, Josephine, August, Frank and Mark, all of 
whom reside at home except August, who is en- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



183 



gaged in business in St. Louis. The wife and 
motlier died November 27, 1884. 

Tiie second m.an-i.Tgc of Mr. Trares united liim, 
February 17, 1887, with Frances Cordelia, daugh- 
ter of E. C. and Ann C. (Dorsey) Winciiester. Her 
fatlier was a native of Louisiana, wliile her moth- 
er's people were originally from Kentucky; they 
now reside in Bunker Hill, 111. In religious belief 
l)oth Mr. and Mrs. Trares are members of the 
Catholic Church. Political!}', he is a Democrat. 
For several years lie has served as a member of the 
School Board, and is also identified with St. Boni- 
face Benevolent Society. 



=^ 



UOII KIRKPATRICK, proprietor of the 
St. .lames Hotel of Edwardsville, was born 
in Septeml)er, 18.32, in Randolph Count\', 
III. His father, James Kirkpalrick, w.as a 
native of Ireland and came to this country about 
18.'30, locating in South Carolina, whence he re- 
moved to Illinois and engaged in farming in 
Washington County until his death, which oc- 
curred on the 2d of August, 1843. On the Emer- 
ald Isle he had married Miss Mary Tindall, a na- 
tive of that country, and she departed this life on 
the old homestead in September, 1844. They be- 
came the parents of the following children: Robert, 
James, John, William, Hugh; Jane, wife of William 
Piper; Isabella, wife of William Morrison, and 
Nancy. All are now deceased with the exception 
of Hugh, and John, who resides in Washington 
County. In politics the father supported the Whig 
party, and in religious belief was a Presbyterian. 
The mother and children belonged to the Cove- 
nanter Church. 

The childhood days of Hugh Kirkpatrick were 
spent on the old home farm, and he early became 
familiar with all the duties of farm life. At the 
age of twenty years he left the parental roof, 
\ starting out in life for himself. He first went to 
I St. Louis, where he engaged in clerking for about 
two years, after which he returned to Sparta, Ran- 



dolph Count}', and was there employed as a sales- 
man for a time. Sub.sequently he embarked in 
business for himself as a merchant, carrying on 
operations for three years, after which he sold his 
store and opened a hotel in Sparta, known as the 
Shannon House. 

In the meantime Mr. Kirkpatrick was married. 
On the 20tli of June, 1855, in Eden, he wedded 
Ruth Brown, daughter of Knisley and Minerva 
(Brown) Brown, of Bennington, Vt. Eight chil- 
dren were born to them: William, now in the ex- 
press business in Edwardsville; Clarke, of Los 
Angeles, Cal.; Frank, who died in 18'J1; Mary and 
Harry, at home; and three who died in infanc}'. 

Mr. Kirkpatrick was proprietor of the Shannon 
House for two years and then sold out, opening 
another hotel, which he conducted three years. 
On the expiration of that period he came to Ed- 
wardsville and opened the Union House, in Octo- 
ber, 18G1. He was its proprietor until 1875, when 
he completed the large brick structure now known 
as the St. James Hotel, which he has carried on 
continuously since. It is a well conducted hotel, 
ably managed, and a liberal patronage is there re- 
ceived, for it has found favor with the public. 

Mr. Kirkpatrick is a supporter of the Repub- 
lican party. He and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. His is one of the old famil- 
iar faces of Madison County, and his hotel is well 
known throughout the country. His genial, quiet 
and unobtrusive manner makes him many friends. 
He always tries to make his guests feel at ease, and 
all with whom he has been brought in contact give 
him their confidence and hold him in hijih reirard. 






(_j^ENRY TIMMERIIOFF, who carries on 
ij general farming on section 28, Moro Town- 
ship, where he has made his home since 
\K^j 1868, is one of the worthy citizens that 
Germany has furnished to Madison County. He 
was born in Prussia, on the 24th of December, 
1838, and is a son of Fi-ederick and Anna (Voss) 




184 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



'I'iinniciliofT, who were filso natives of llic same lo- 
enlity. In ISf)') the father liarle adieu to the liome 
and friends of liis youth and emif^rralcd to St. 
IvOuis, whcnoo he made his w.iy to Alton. He 
tiien located upon a farm in Ft. Russell Town- 
ship, Madison County, and there made iiis home 
until his death, which occurred at the age of fifty- 
live years. T.y trade he was a carpenter and fol- 
lowed that business in Germany. His wife de- 
parted this life in Madison County when seventy- 
two years of ago. Six children were born to the 
worthy coupk', of whom two died in infancy. 

Henry Timmerhoff is the onlj- son. He was a 
child of fifteen years at the time of his arrival in 
Madison County. His education had been .ac- 
([uired through several years' attendance at the 
public schools of his native land. After coming 
to the United Slates, he gave his father the bene- 
fit of his services, working on the home farm un- 
til ho was enabled to purchase the land upon 
which he now resides. 

In September, 1S71, in this county, Mr. Timnier- 
liofT was united in niiuriage with Miss Lena Meyer, 
who was born and reared in Hanover, (Jcrinany. 
The joung couple began their domestic life upon 
the farm which has since l)ccn their home, and 
their union has been blessed with a family of six 
children, two sons and four daughters, namely: 
.\nna, Lena, Fred, Katie, .Mary and William. The 
faiiiilv circle yet remains unl)roUcn by the hand 
of Dcalii and the children are still under the 
parental roof. 

Mr. Timmerhoff now owns a good farm, com- 
prising one hundred and sixty acres of good land, 
all under cultivation. The well tilled fields yield 
to the owner a golden tribute in return for his 
care and labor, and the iinprovemciits upon the 
place stand as inonunu'iils lo his thrift and enter- 
prise. He has a comfortal)le home erected at a 
cost of % 1,500 — a two story frame residence — and 
also has good barns and other necessary outbuild- 
ings. He is recognized as one of the [)ractical 
and progressive agriculturists of the community. 
Mr. Timnierhoff is a supporter of the Republi- 
can party and its principles, and in ISHl was 
elected Highway Commissioner, which position he 
has since filled with credit to liiinself and satisfac- 



tion to his constituents. He is probably the old- 
est Highw.iy Commissioner in years of service iu 
the eount^'. He is also a prominent member of 
the F.vangelical Church, and is .serving as Trustee 
of the same. During his residence in this com- 
munity' he has become widely and favorably 
known and has gained the warm regard of all 
with whom business or social relations have 
brought him in contact. 



<^ 



-^ 




UDOLPH FRICKENSTFIN. That our sub- 
ject is one of the shrewdest and most in- 
telligent .agriculturists of Madison Countj' 
5^ is shown by the success that has crowned 
his efforts, for he is now the proprietor of three 
hundred and fifty broad acres located on section 
24, Edwardsville Township. He w;is l)<>ri) in Prus- 
sia, Germany, April 22, 18.".9,of which country his 
[(arent.^. William and Mary (Tepe) P'rickenstein, 
were also natives. 

The father of our subject w.as a farmer by occu- 
pation, and his mother was the daughter of Ben- 
nett and M.ary Tepe. She was one in a family of 
six children, and departed this life in her native 
land when in her fifty-sixth year. In 18C0, Ru- 
dolph, of this sketch, embarked at Bremen on the 
vessel "Magdalena," which landed him in New Or- 
leans ten weeks later. From that city he traveled 
on the Fallior of Waters to Louisville, Ky., where 
he made his home for the following eight months. 
In 1861 the original of this sketch came to Illi- 
nois and rented land in this county until enabled 
to purch.ase property of his own. He had five 
brothers and sisters, but he is the only surviving 
member of the family. The first land of which lie 
became the owner included ninety acres of wild 
land. He has been engaged all his life as an agri- 
culturist, and with genuiiic Gcrniaii llirifl and 
prudence has amassed a goodly share of property- 
Mr. Frickenstein was married to Miss Louisa F. 
Take in October, 1863. The lady w.as the daugh- 
ter of William and Sophia (Aldroph) Take, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1S5 



was boi'n in St. Louis, Mo., September 22, 1843. 
Iler parents were natives of Germany, and came 
to the United States in 1837, locating two years 
later in St. Louis, wiiere tlie fatlier followed his 
trade of a cariienter until 1818. That year he re- 
moved upon a farm in this countj', which he de- 
veloped into a productive estate, and resided there 
until his decease, when sixtj'-eight years of age. 
The mother of Mrs. Frickenstein died at the ad- 
vanced age of seventy-six years. Her grandpar- 
ents, who were also natives of Prussia, came to the 
United States in an early day, and died on the old 
larm in this county at a good old age. 

To our subject and his wife were born the fol- 
lowing four children: Gustav H., who married So- 
phia Stahlhut; Henry IL, the husband of Minnie 
IloUscher; Rudolph, Jr., and Matilda M., both at 
home with their parents. After his marriage, our 
subject rented land for five years, after which he 
])urchased a little farm, on wliicli he erected a rude 
cabin. In 1880 he completed his present fine 
dwelling, and from time to time added to his acre- 
age until, as before stated, he became the proprie- 
tor of three hundred and fifty broad acres. 

Politically, Mr. Frickenstein is a Republican, 
and upholds his party as a stanch, faithful and 
loyal adherent. With his family he is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, to which organization 
he lias always contributed liberally. 



^m: 



"=^3^ 



!>-*<! 



(Qy— 



k 



GUIS .J. APPEL. Both in his business 
success and the position he occupies in 
the community Mr. Appel is an example 
of what a man can accomplish, provided he pos- 
sesses energy, pluck, good judgment and honesty 
of purpose, coupled with a respect for the confi- 
dence of the people among whom he may live, 
lie is now engaged in the jewelry business and 
possesses the excellent judgment and qualifica- 
tion which are necessary for a successful and 
IH'osperous career. 

Our subject is a native of this city and wus 



born October 14, 1859. He is a sou of Louis Ap- 
pel, whose birth occurred in Bavaria, Germany, 
in the year 1836. The latter came to America 
in company with his brother Jacob when he was a 
lad of ten 3'ears, and located with him in St. 
Louis, where he learned the trade of a ro|)C- 
maker. In 1853 he came to this city, where he 
worked as a cooper for several years, and then 
engaged in the liquor business, which he followed 
for over a quarter of a century. He is now Presi- 
dent of the Highland Brick ife Tile Works, but re- 
tired from other active business life about seven 
years ago. He is a well informed man on all the 
leading questions of the day and takes an active 
part in local affairs. He served as a member of 
the City Council, and for two years was the ef- 
ficient Mayor of Highland. He is a true-blue Re- 
publican in politic.-!, and at the present time is 
Assessor of this township. Socially, he is a char- 
ter member of the Masonic lodge in this place, 
and during the number of years he has resided 
here has been an honored and respected citizen, 
and is widely and favorably known. 

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Lisette Menz, was also born in Germany, and 
came to America with her parents when quite 
young. She grew to womanhood in this city, and 
here met and married Louis Appel. Our subject is 
the eldest of the five children in the parental fam- 
ily, which consists of four sons and one daughter. 
His brother younger is William J., who is a 
wealthy farmer near Tainaroa, Perry Count3', this 
state. Oscar is engaged in the harness and sad- 
dlery business at St. Jacob, this county; and the 
youngest brother is a watchmaker in the employ 
of our subject. The only daughter in the faiiiil}', 
Miss Louisa, is a teacher of fancy work and is at 
home with her parents. 

Mr. Appel, of this sketch, grew to mature years 
in Highland, which place has always been his 
home, and after receiving his education in the 
public schools learned the cigarmakcr's trade. He 
then went to St. Louis, where he was thus em- 
|)loyed for one j'car, and then returning home, 
in 1884 established himself in the jewelry business, 
in which he has been very successful, lie is a 
man of enterprise, zealous in his advocacy of the 



186 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



cause of justice and ri.uhl, and is over fore- 
most in good woiks. lie lias one of the finest es- 
tiiblishnients in the city, and in 18U0 completed 
his line two-story building at a cost of *6,000. 

Mr. Appcl was niariied in 1884 to Miss Caro- 
line Leutwiler, who was born and reared in this 
city, and they have a faniil}' of three children, 
Kdniund, Norma and Kunice. Like his father be- 
fore him, our subject is an ardent Republican, 
and when elected to the Cit^' Council and while 
serving as City Clerk, discharged the duties of 
the odice with great abilit\'. Socially, he is a 
Master Mas(jn, and at the present time is S. D. 
in the lodge. Known as a citizen of upright char- 
acter, energetic and able in all the duties of life, 
our subject is highly respected and commands the 
esteem and conndence of all who know him. 



1 1 >> I . fc f h. 




Oils Sl'l'l'lOKU. Among the varied and 
extensive business operations carried on in 
the thrifty and i)i'ogressive city of High- 
land, there is none that meets with more general 
recognition than that of the boot and shoe busi- 
ness. Among those actively cng.aged in it is our 
subject, who in company with his brother Edward, 
forms the (irm of Sup|)iger Bros. Tliey have one 
of the finest stores in the city and have established 
an enviable reputation as wide-awake, thorougli- 
going business men, and as citizens whose hon- 
esty and uprightness have never been questioned. 
Our subject was born near this city January 10, 
1864, and is the son of J)avid Suppiger, whose 
birth occurred in Sursee, canton of Luzerne, 
Switzerland. The latter came to America in 1834 
and located at Highland, where he became one of 
the prominent citizens, and for more than forty 
years was connected with the Highland Milling 
Company. This he engaged in in 1850 in com- 
pany with his brothers, but in 18(iG lie became the 
head of the concern, the firm name being changed 
at that time to David Suppiger <t Co. He was a 
shrewd btisiness man and made a success of life 



in every sense of tlie word. By judicious in- 
vestments and careful management he aeiiuired 
a handsome fortune, and his record in all the 
relations of life and in the duties devolving upon 
him as an honorable man and a faithful citizen 
was of the highest. Beside his interest in the 
mill, David Suppiger was a stockholder in a bank 
in Kansas and also owned large tracts of land in 
that slate. Eor more than two years he was I'res- 
idcnt of tlic Milk Condensing Company and was 
one of the founders of the Siiooling Society, in 
which every resident of Highland luus a ju.-t pride. 
He aided greatly in the upbuilding and beautify- 
ing of the citj- and had a hand in tiie planting of 
the four rows of trees leading to the park, a dis- 
tance of over a mile. David Suppiger was also a 
musician of considerable local fame and he gave 
his children thorough training in that art. He 
was the first leader of the Highland band. 

Mrs. Salome (Durer) Suppiger, the mother of 
our subject, departed this life in 1873. Her hus- 
band was later married to Mrs. Ida Colman, by 
whom he became the father of a son, David, now 
a boy of fifteen years. By his first union the fa- 
ther of our subject reared a family of three chil- 
dren, the brother and sister of mir subject lieiiig 
Edward and Bertha. 

Louis Suppiger obtained his early -schooling in 
this city, and like his brother Edward, received 
two years' training in the University of St. Louis. 
After leaving that institution he took a business 
course in Brj'ant ct Stratton's Commercial College, 
and in 1871) entered his father's mill, it being his 
intention to learn that trade. 

In 1890 our subject was married to Nellie, 
daughter of Martin J. and Bertha (Eggen) Scliotl. 
The father of Mrs. Sui)()iger was born in Kraiikfort- 
on-the-Main, and at the time of her marriage was a 
wealthy brewer in this city. Our subject contin- 
ued in the milling business until June, 18110, and 
in October, 1891, in company with his lirother Ed- 
ward, he Iwuglit out J. J. Brincr, a boot and shoe 
merchant, and since that time has carried on a 
profitable trade in that line of business. 

Like all the members of his family Mr. Suppiger 
is a very line musician, and at the present time is 
leader of the Highland Military Band, which is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



187 



regarded as one of the best in the state. lie is a 
iiiember of the Turners' and Singing Societies and 
also the Shooting Societ3', and, like his father be- 
fore him, is an ardent Democrat in politics. His 
family comprises two children, Gerhart and Solo- 
mon. 



k EON HARD W. ADLER, Treasurer and Gen- 
eral Manager of the Enterprise Milling 
Company, of St. Jacob, was born at Marine, 
this county, Februar}- 1, 1857. He is the son of 
Leonhard W. Adler, Sr., whose birth occurred in 
Baden, Germany, December 3, 1815, where he 
operated a distillery after attaining mature years. 
He was there married to Marie Braeischer, who ac- 
companied him on the journey to the United 
States in 1854. 

The parents of our subject located at Marine, 
where, until his death, the father followed the 
profession he learned in the Old Country, that of a 
distiller. His death occuried October 14, 1858, 
when our subject was only a year old. His mother 
is still living in Marine. Being left in limited cir- 
cumstances, she was unable to give Leonhard other 
than a common school education. When quite 
young he was compelled to look out for himself 
and found employment in a brick yard, where he 
did a man's work, receiving about %\ per day 
by working over time. 

During the winters of these years our subject 
worked in the mill at Marine, in which business he 
has since been engaged. In 1889, in company with 
diaries N'alier and Jacob and Charles Spies, he 
purchased the mill at St. Jacob, which was sold 
under a mortgage. Mr. Adler was then ai)pointed 
Treasurer and General Manager, and it is largely 
through his efforts that it has become one of the 
leading mills in southeiii Illinois. It has a capaci- 
ty for turning out four hundred barrels of flour 
per day, the most of which is shipped to Europe. 
Mr. Adler is a careful, far-seeing business man and 
has the satisfaction of knowing that he has made 



every dollar of his handsome fortune by his own 
unaided efforts. 

In 1880 the original of this sketch was united 
in marriage with Miss Pauline Peters, of St. Louis, 
and their union has been blessed by the birth of two 
children, Leonhard H., aged twelve years, and Wal- 
ter, aged ten j'ears. The family occupy a new and 
beautiful residence near the mill, it being one of 
the best and most attractive homes in the place. 

Socially, our subject stands high in Masonic 
circles, holding membership with the lodge at 
Marine, of which he is Tyler. He is also a Modern 
Woodman of America, in which he takes great 
interest. The Republican part}' finds in Mr. Adler 
one of its most influential and active workers. He 
is at all times ready to do his part in the upbuild- 
ing of his community, and at the present time is 
doing good work as a member of the Town Board. 



'{^^^ 




[^~ 



^,EORGE J. KERNER, the local editor of the 
Highland Union^ was born in the city of 

J^ Baltimore, Md., June 20, 1858, and is the 
eldest of three sons born to Nicholas and Maria 
Kerner, the former of whom was a native of Ba-. 
varia, German}'. He was for man}' years a mer- 
chant tailor, but is now living retired from busi- 
ness in Baltiuiore. 

The original of this sketch spent his early life 
in his native city, and completed his education at 
Ilchester College, just outside of Baltimore. He 
then determined to become a newspaper man, and 
with this end in view entered the office of the 
Volkszeitumj, the largest German weekly in the 
above city. There he learned every branch of the 
art preservative, working his way up from com- 
positor until he had charge of the mailing depart- 
ment; he afterward conducted all the correspon- 
dence, and linally was made assistant editor. He 
remained with thai paper for seven years and then 
eng.aged to work for other publications and in 
other lines of business until May 10, 1891, when 
he came to Highland and accepted the editorial 



188 



roUTRMT AND BKX^.KAPIIICAL RECORD. 




chair of tin- llii;lil:iii(l Union, iniblislied by J. S. 
lliiiTiicr. Ml-. Ivorncr is :iii able .iiid easy writer, 
ami (luring liie lliree years lii' was coiiueclcil willi 
llie L'liion he made hosts of friends. Tliis isshown 
by the fact liiat at the sining election in 1891, his 
friends noniinaled him for t'ity Attorney, his op- 
ponent beinj,' tiie editor of the Hii,'lilaiid Journal. 
Mr. Keruer received more than three-fourths of 
the votes cast, .'ind is lillinir Hie position with 
credit to liimself. 

Ill politics our subject is a Republican. Social- 
ly he is a prominent member of the Modern Wood- 
men of Aiiu'iica and is Consul of the Highland 
Camp. lie also beloiij;s to the 'rnrnvcrein and 
other societies. 

.:» _. 



|l'8!SELL K. WII.SON. who now carries on 
'{(' general rarminfj; on section 1 7, Moro Town- 
ship, has the honor of lieiiii,' a native of 

^'Madison County. Here he lias spent his 
entire life, and tliioui;hoiil its borders lie is widely 
and favorably known, lie was lK)rn in the town- 
ship which is still liis hoine; .laniiaiy 21, l.S17,aiid 
is a representative of one of the pitnieer families. 
His father, V. V. Wils«»n, was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and when about twenty years of age started 
westward to try his forliine upon the broad 
praines of the Mississii)pi \'alley. lie took up his 
residence in Madison County, locating east of 
Dorscy, where he worked at the carpenter's trade 
for many years. He built many of the houses of 
Moro Township and did a good business along 
that line. He became well known throughout the 
county, and his sterling worth and strict integrity 
made him a highly respected citizen. In his politi- 
cal views he was a Uepubliean. His death oc- 
curred in his sixty-fourth year. The Wilson fam- 
ily is of Cerman lineage. The mother of our sub- 
ject Uire the maiden name of Frances K. Burton, 
and wiis born within twenty miles of Richmond, 
Va. When a maiden of fourteen summers she be- 
came a resident of Madison County. She is now 
living in Moro Township in her seveuty-tiflh 
year. In the Wilson family are three sons living 



and llieie is seven years' difference between tin ir 
ages. 

Russell K. Wilson is the eldest of the family. 
Under the parental roof he was reared to manhood 
and in the <1istrict schools actpiired his education. 
He early became inured to the arduous labors of 
developing a farm, and remained at home, giving 
his father the benefit of his services, until Iwenty- 
live 3ears of age. 

On the Till of May, 1872, .Mr. \Vilsoii was united 
in marriage with Miss Mary K. Cox, a native of 
Madison County, III.; she was born and reared in 
Uetlialto, where her parents located at a very 
early day. I br father was one of the prominent 
citizens of liie county, and her sister is Mrs. Will- 
iam Montgomery. Two cliiUlrcn grace tlie union 
of our subject and his wife, a son and daughter, 
William I. and Nathalie I)., Ixitli uf whom are still 
with their parents. 

Mr. Wilson now owns a farm of one liuiulred 
and seventy-si.\ acres in Moro Township, all under 
a high state of cultivation. I'pon it is a line resi- 
dence, which w.is erected in 181)2, ata cost of about 
^2,300. It is built in a modern style of architect- 
ure, is neatly and tastefully furnished and is sup- 
plied willi all the coiiifoits of life. There isagood 
barn on the estate which was built in 1804, at a 
cost of >!M(MI, and there are also the other acces- 
sories and improvements of a model farm. 'I'liis is 
one of the best places u( the township and has been 
ac<iuired through the earnest etTort.s of the owner. 
In his political views Mr. Wilson is a Republican, 
and is iu)w serving as School Director. He and 
his wife hold an enviabh' position in social circles 
and have the warm regard of all who know them. 



=-1-^h}h^1= 



Nl((M)OI.M':V V. IJICILMOND, who is living le- 
m/ l''*-'*' "" '''"^ ''"^" i'*l''lf •" ''l- Russell Town- 
W shii). was born in Woodstock, \'t., Ai>ril 20, 
1><1!S. He is the son of Itariiey and .lane (Pad- 
dock) Richmond, pioneers of the tireeii Mountain 
Stjiti', where the father died when in his seventy- 
lifth vear. The mother later came to Illinois and 
passed her ileclining years ne;ir the home of our 



,'•' 






9 


'^ 


1 




J^ 


^^^^^^^^^^^HB^H^^H^ 


H 



/^ 



COL. lOHN C. WORPEX. 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAI'IIICAL RECORD. 



191 



subject; she too was in Iier seventy-fifth year at 
tlie titnc of lier decease. 

Our subject was one in a family of Ihrce cliil- 
drcn born to his parents, and is the only survivor, 
lie was leared to the age of seventeen years on a 
farm, and then enteiin.i( a general store in St. 
]»uis. Mo., as clerk, remained in that capacitj' for 
three years. Aft(^r attaiTiing his majority lie be- 
gan working out by the day on a farm in this 
county, and later purchased sixly-live acres which 
were partially iniproved. To this he removed with 
his bride, Miss Victoria West, whom he married in 
April, 1817. 

Mrs. Richmond was born in Edwardsville, this 
county, in 1828, and was the daughter of Eman- 
uel J. and Isabelle (Garido) NVest, natives respec- 
tively of New .lerse}' and the Island of Teneriffc. 
Mr. West departed this life while on the way to 
Rio .laneiro, as minister to Valparaiso, South 
America, when in his sixtieth year. Ilisgood wife 
lived to the age of sixty-five and died on the 
old home farm in this county. 

The grandparents of our suljject on both sides 
were natives of Massachusetts and of English de- 
scent. The first of the family located in America 
over two hundred 3'ears ago and the giandfathers 
of Mr. Richmond fought as soldiei-s in the Revo- 
lutionary War. 

Mrs. Victoria Richmoml died when twent^'-eiglit 
years of age, after having become the mother of 
sixchildren. Only two are now living: Isaliella 
G., a student in the Homeoijalhic Medical C<jllege 
in Chicago, and Edward W., who resides on the 
home farm. In July, 18.')8, our subject was mar- 
ried to Harriet A. Anthony, who was born in Sher- 
burne, Vt., and (lied in this county. She was 
the daughter of Albro and Salome Anthony, also 
natives of the above state, where the father's de- 
cease occurred. 

When Mr. Richmond located u|)on his present 
property it bore no iin[)rovements whatever, and 
he himself hewed the logs from which the house 
was constructed. By thoroughly understanding 
every detail of farm work he has made a success 
of his vocation. 

Our subject has often been called upon to fill 
ollicial |)ositions and at all times gave entire satis- 
5 



faction to all concerned. lie cast his first vote 
for General Harrison, and when Lincoln ran for 
President, cast his ballot for him. At one time 
that gentleman told him he would like to shake 
hands with him — an honest nian. Socially he is 
a prominent Mason, belonging to IJethalto Lodge 
No. 106. For fifteen years he was connected with 
the Madison Count\4 Agricultural .Society in this 
vicinity. He is widely known thntughout the 
county and by his well s|)eiit life has won the 
high regard of all. It is with pleasure that we 
place his sketch among those of the best citizens 
of the communit}'. 



/^OL. JOHN C. WORDEN. This prominent 
[l(^, resident of Madison County is the founder 
^^^ of the village of Worden. He was Ijorn 
near Preston, Lancaster, England, June 24, 1834, 
and is the son of Peter Worden, who was likewise 
a native of Preston, and a carpenter by trade. The 
latter died there when in his thirty-third year. 
Grandfather John Worden was a fanner in the 
vicinity of Preston and a man highly respected b}' 
all who knew him. The Worden family tiaces its 
ancestry back to 1620, when the first settlement 
was made in the United .States. Jlany of that 
name partici|)ated in the Revolutionary War, hold- 
ing official positions in the army. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden 
name of Ann Charnock, was born in Engliuid, and 
was of .Scotch decent. The family was a promi- 
nent one in their shire. An uncle of Mrs. Worden 
on her father's side came to America in the early 
[lart of the eighteenth century and located in 
Maryland, where he became very wealthy, owning 
several large jilantations and a goodly portion of 
the land on which the present city of ISaltimore 
now stands. At his death, which occurred Decem- 
ber 31, 1811, as affairs could not he satisfactorily 
settled, the property was turned over to the Orphan 
Court of IJaltimore for adjustment. 

The sul>ject of this sketch is the second in order 
of birth among three sons and three daughters. 
When only ^ix years of age he commenced the bat- 
tle of life, driving a butcher's cart and taking or- 



192 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(Kts, for wlik-li he loccivcd lliirl3--six cents per 
week and a leg of imitlon. Later lie worked in a 
linen faetory for a >lioil lime. When tliirleen 
veal's old he was the champion fool racer of his 
age, his record lieing one hundred yards in ten 
and one-half seconds, lie stood at the head in 
tliat sport for two years, dnring which time he ran 
twenty races, winning iiinelwn of them. 

In 1818 young Worden set sail for America, the 
passage consuming live weeks and three days. 
Landing in New York City May 27, he remained 
there hut a short lime, and then went to Albany, 
where he found eiiiplo^'nient on public works, re- 
ceiving as his wages seventj'-live cents per da}', 
lie followed this through one summer, and we next 
liud him in Schenectady, where he apprenticed 
himself to learn the trade of a blacksmith, and dur- 
ing the year thus occupied attended night school. 
His next situation was on the Erie Canal at boating, 
where he received a salary of ^20 per month. In 
the winter of 1849 he took a course of study in the 
Whitestown Seminary, in New York, where he 
made rapid jirogress. In the spring he purchased 
a half-interest in a canal boat which w:is used in 
shipping wood. Going to Mohawk in 1851, during 
that summer ho operated a brickyard, and the fol- 
lowing winter drove the stage between that place 
and Herkimer. The next year he "Hoalcd" again 
on the canal, but in 18.')3 entered a store in ftlo- 
hawk, and was eng.aged as clerk until December. 
The winter which followed was employed by him 
in teaching school, which he looks back upon .as 
one of the most enjoyable periods of his life. 

In the early part of 1854 we find Mr. Worden 
again acting as clerk in a general store owned by 
Fred Hellinger, and in the autumn of the same 
year he was offered the position of canal station- 
keeper at Rome. He was not able to accept, how- 
ever,' on account of having promised his aunt, 
Elizal^eth Sandbach, to join her in Madison Coun- 
ty, this state. In December, 1854, he arrived here 
and began clerking in her country store two miles 
northwest of what is now the village of Worrien. 
He was thus employed for two years, when he re- 
turned to England on a visit and brought Ins 
mother with him to his new home a^ few months 
later. After his return from his native land, he 



spent several terms in teaching school in St. Louis 
and Moultoiiville, 111., after which he again became 
clerk in his aunt's store, and remained with her 
until the fall of 18511, when he began speculating 
in horses. In IHCd he was appointed Deputy 
Sheriff, which position he filled with ellicieiicy. 

In Jul}', 18G5, our subject purchased a store in 
New Hampton, which place was lali'r honored with 
his name, and is now incorporated in the village of 
Wordeu. He continued in the successful manage- 
ment of this business until 1871, when hedispcised 
of his stock in order to become station agent for 
the Wabash Road. In 1878 he resigned that jwsi- 
tion, and for one year lived retired from active 
business. Previous to this, however, he had built 
grain elevators and bought and stored grain from 
the farmers in the surrounding country. He is 
one of the well-to-do and prominent men in Madi- 
son County, and has served the people in various 
oflicial capacities. For eleven years he w.as Post- 
master,.! ustice of the Peace for many terms. School 
Treasurer for several j^ears, in each and all posi- 
tions giving perfect satisfaction. He has been non- 
partisan ill politics of late years, owing to the cor- 
ruptness of the old parties, and now reserves his 
right to vote for the man who in his opinion will 
best discharge the duties of the ollice. 

November 26, 1867, occurred the marriage of 
Mr. Worden to Miss Virginia J. Weaver. The 
lady was born in Virginia, and departed this life 
in September, 1881, leaving a family of two sons 
and two daughters. Those living are, IJernice, 
John P., George 15. ami \'irginia E. Socially, our 
subject is a prominent Mason, being connected with 
SUiunton Lodge No. 177. 



THOMAS V. WHITESIDE, who makes his 

;f^^ home in Edwardsville, and who devotes his 

M©)))) 

!^^' time to looking after his varied interests, 

h.as not been engaged in any business since 1876. 

That year he moved into the city from his (ine 

farm in llamel 'I'ownship, which comprises two 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



193 



hundred and forty acres of tillable land, which he 
still retains in his possession. 

Mr. Whiteside is a native of this county, and 
was born in Pin Oak March 14, 1833, to Michael 
and Sarah (Whiteside) Whiteside. The father 
was born in Illinois and was brought to this coun- 
ty when an infant; here he si)ent his entire life, 
dyiny in Pin Oak Township at the age of seventy- 
six years. His good wife, who was the daughter 
of Johnson AVhiteside, was a native of St. Clair 
County, this state, and departed this life in the 
above township when in her forty-sixth year. 

The original of this sketch was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm, and remained at home until attaining 
his majority. Then starting out for himself, he 
purchased a tract of wild land, on which he erected 
a rude cabin 16x18 feet in dimensions, and two 
years later moved into it with his bride. Miss Mary 
A. West, to whom he was married December 11, 
1856. Mrs. Whiteside w.is born in Alhambra 
Township August 9, 1839, and was the daughter 
of Thom.as S. and Mary II. (Ilinch) West, natives 
respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky. 
Her grandparents vvere Isaac and Mary (Scott) 
West, who came to Illinois when her father was 
two years of age, and departed this life in Alham- 
bra Township. Thomas S. AVest died aged sev- 
enty-one years, and his good wife, who still sur- 
vives, makes her home on the old farm. The lat- 
ter is the daughter of William and Anna (Good- 
win) Ilinch, who removed from the Ulue Grass 
State to Illinois when she was a little girl of live 
years. 

There has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Whiteside 
r. family of six children, of whom those living are, 
Mary Alice, John C. and Joseph P. In 1864 the 
little log cabin which we have already mentioned 
gave way to a substantial dwelling, in which the 
family of our subject made their home until 1876. 
That year they left the farm and moved into Ed- 
wardsville, with whose interests they have since 
been identified. Our subject has been successful 
in life, and has accumulated a sufliciency of tiiis 
world's goods to enable him to live quietly and 
comfortably looking after his various investments. 

Our suljject cast his first Presidential vote for 
James Buchanan, but since the organization of the 



Prohibition party joined its ranks, and is now one 
of the most influential workers in the temperance 
cause in this vicinity. With his wife he is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, in which he is Dea- 
con, and is very active in Sunday-school work. 
Mr. Whiteside is one of the best known men in 
the count}', and .is he is honorable and upright in 
all his business dealings, has a large circle of true 
friends. 



-f= 



=+ 



f/_, ENRY ENGELHART resides on section 13, 
Ft. Russell Township and is one of the 
most prominent and substantial farmers of 
•^ Madison County. His life record, which 
we feel sure will prove of interest to our readers, 
is as follows: He w.as born in Brunswick, Ger- 
many, August 12, 1822, and is a son of Henry and 
Maria Sophia (Mezzer) Engelhart. In that coun- 
try the father lived and died, passing away in his 
seventy-seventh year. His good wife is still liv- 
ing, and when our subject last heard from her had 
passed her ninetieth birthday. 

The original of this sketch set sail from Ham- 
burg for the New World in the spring of 1841, 
and was six weeks in making the passage to New 
York. He remained in that city for three days 
and then came direct to this county, where he 
hired out by the month for five years, receiving 
for his pay ^8 per month. About this time he 
was married to Miss Charlotte Hill, who was also 
of German birth, and who died in this county 
when fifty-four j'ears of age. She had become the 
mother of seven children, of whom the four still 
living are, Charlotte, the widow of Henry Al- 
bright, a soldier during the late war; Louis, who 
married Mary Williams; Emma, at home with her 
father; and Frederick, who has been twice married 
and had two children by each union. 

Soon after his marriage with Miss Hill, our sub- 
ject purchased two hundred acres of land where 
he now lives, and so successful was he in his voca- 
tion as an agricidturist, that he was soon enabled 
to call twelve hundred acres his own. The estate 



194 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGUAl'lIICAL RECORD. 



is complete in all its appointments, the improve- 
ments are lirst class, flie fields are excellently tilled 
and the whole forms one of the most valuable 
farms in Madison County. He is a wide-awake 
and progressive farmer, and those who have known 
him from boyhood are numbered among his best 
friends, a fact which indicates his well spent and 
upright life. Mr. Engelhart completed his present 
subst.antial residence in IMOO, the family having 
previously occui)ied a log cabin, in which all his 
children with one exception were born. 

In liis political sentiments, Mr. Engelhart is a 
Democrat, and cast his first vole for James K. 
Polk. With his entire family he is a member of 
the Lutheran Church, with which they have been 
connected for many years, lie is trul^' self made, 
having begun in life without influential friends or 
capital, and by energy, courage and perseverance 
has been rewarded with financial prosperity. 




'i^, R. STEPHEN r. UOIJINSON is one of 
the leading physicians and surgeons of 
Edwardsville, and in the medical frater- 
nity occu|)ies a i)romincnt (wsition. He 
wiis born in Charleston, .S. C, October 17,1857, 
and is a sou of John and L^'dia (Gaillard) Rob- 
inson, both of whom were also natives of Charles- 
ton. The father w.as a cotton buyer and shipper, 
and did a good business in that line. He died in 
Charleston in 1887, at the age of lifty-five, and 
his wife was called to the home beyond in 187!). 
They were the parents of a family of nine children, 
four of whom are yet living, viz.: .Stephen T., 
whose name heads this record; John W., a resi- 
dent of Charleston, S. C; William, who is also 
living in that city; and Kelsey S.. who makes his 
home in Chicago. 

The Doctor ac((uired his early education in 
private schools and afterward attended the col- 
lege of Charleston, from which he was graduated 
in 1877, carrying off the honors of his cliiss. He 
is a man of more than average intcUigeuce, and is 



a very apt student. When his literary education 
was completed he began fitting himself fur his 
life work, entering the Medical College of Charles- 
ton, S. C., where he studied for three years. He 
also took a course in chemistry in the Slate l.ab- 
oratory, after which he went to Nashville, Teiin., 
and entered the X'aiiderliilt .Medical riuveisity of 
that cit}', from which iiistiliition he was gradu- 
ated in 1881. 

On leaving college, |)i. Kdbinson came to Illi- 
nois and located in Edwardsville, where heal once 
opened an oflice and began practice. Soon he 
began to receive a lilieral patronage, which h.as 
steadily increased until he is now doing an ex- 
tensive business. In this w.ay the public attests 
its faith in him, and its confidente in his skill 
and ability. He is a member and is now serving 
as President of the Madison County IMedical So- 
ciety. 

On the 26th of October, 188(;. Dr. Uobinson 
was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Love, 
daughter of James and Eliza Love, and their 
union has been blessed with one child, Hulh. Mrs. 
Robinson is a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, and is a most estimable lady. In his 
political views the Doctor is a Democrat, and so- 
cially is connected with the Masonic fraternity 
and the Knights t)f Pythias. All who know him es- 
teem him higlil}' for his sterling worth and strict 
integrity, and with iileasure we i)reseiit this rec- 
ord of his life to our readers. 



is*+*+t 



<*+*+=^ 



ViT^ LKE EDEN follows farming on section 11, 
1|S Moro Township, Madison C\)uiitv. (ier- 
lW~-^ many has furnished to Illinois many citi- 
zens, an industrious and enterprising class of peo- 
ple, and one of their worthy re|iresentatives is the 
gentleman wlio.se name heads this record. He was 
born in Hanover, (iermany, January 21, 182S. 
His grandfather, EIke Eden, a prt)speroiis farmer, 
was also a native of Hanover, where he ilii'd at 
the age of sixty-five years. The father, Melcher 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



195 



Eden, died tliere at the age of eighty-five years, as 
(Vu\ (lis wife, wiio Ijore tlic maiden name of Gesclie 
Henncks. Her father, Henry Ilenricks, was born 
in 173(i, and died in 183G, having reached the 
very advanced age of one hundred years. 

Our subject was tiie youngest and the only sur- 
viving member of a family of six children. In 
the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared, 
and in the i)ul)lic schools of his native land ac- 
quired his education. On leaving the school room 
he began to earn his liveliiiood as a farm hand, 
and was thus emploj'ed for some time. As a com- 
panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose 
INIiss Johanna .Tohnson, their wedding being cele- 
brated on the 2(5th of JNIarch, 1854. The lady was 
born in Hanover on the 27th of August, 182'.). The 
wedding tour of the young coui)le was a long one, 
it being a voyage across the Atlantic to the New 
World. In April they sailed for the United States 
on the vessel "Austena," which landed in New Or- 
leans on the .3d of June, 1854. A week later they 
reai-hed Alton, having come up the Mississippi, 
and in 1855 they located in Moro Townshij), Madi- 
son County, upon a rented farm, which was their 
home for about six years. 

Mr. Eden lived an industrious and economical 
life, and in 1861, as the result of his enterprise 
and frugalit}^, was enabled to purchase the farm 
on which he now resides, comprising two hundred 
acres all in one body. It is now under a high 
state of cultivation, .and is well improved with 
good buildings and all the accessories of a model 
farm. About one hundred and thirty acres of the 
place were covered with brush, but this he cleared 
away, and in course of time rich and fertile fields 
yielded to him abundant harvests. 

Mr. and Mrs. Eden became the parents of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters: Henry, a 
leading agriculturist of Moro Township; Edward 
and August, who also follow farming in Moro 
Township; Mary, wife of Frank Wiemers; Gesina, 
wife of Henry Kuethe; Fred H., Johanna and 
Emma, all deceased; and one who died in infancy. 

Mr. Eden votes with the Democracy, has served 
as Highway Commissioner for eleven years, and 
for seven years lllled the ollice of School Director. 
He is always prompt and faithful in positions of 



public trust, and has the confidence and esteem of 
his fellow-townsmen. He and his family are all 
members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has 
held office, and to the support of which he contrib- 
utes liberally. He is a successful farmer and a 
self-made man, who by his own well directed 
efforts has steadil}' worked his way upward from 
an humble position to one of alHuence. 



WC. FORMAN devotes his time and ener- 
gies to general farming on section 20, 
INIoro Township, where he h.is lived since 
1872. This is known as the Locust Grove place, 
and is one of tlie oldest farms of Madison County. 
It is well improved, and its neat and thrifty ap- 
(learance well indicates the careful supervision of 
the owner. 

Mr. Forman is a native of Lincolnshire, En- 
gland, born February 28, 1833. His father, Sam- 
uel Form.an, was born in the same locality, .and 
was a shoemaker by trade. He married Eliza 
Clark, who died in Lincolnshire when our subject 
was only about two years old. In 1844 he brought 
his family to America, and came direct to Madi- 
son County, locating in Ft. Russell Township, 
where he improved a farm of eight}- acres, making 
it his home until his death, which occurred at the 
age of eighty-four. In politics he was a Repub- 
lican and was a highly respected citizen. 

W. C. Forman, after his mother's death, lived 
with an uncle and aunt until eleven j'ears of age, 
when he came with his father to the New World, 
and with him continued until nineteen years of 
age. He then started out in life for himself, and 
liegan to earn a living by working as a farm hand 
for James Montgomery, in whose employ he re- 
mained for ten years. Desiring that his services 
should more directly benefit him.self, he next op- 
erated a rented farm for three years. In 1861, 
prompted by patriotic impulses, he responded to 
the call for troops, enlisting for three months' 
service in the Ninth Illinois Infantry. In 1864 



I9r, 



PORTRAIT AND mOORAPIIICAL RKCORD. 



be went to California, crossing the plains with 
horse and mule teams, Roing by wny of Salt I^ake 
Cit}'. With a friend he spent about a month in 
Nevada, and then proceeded on the journey to 
Saerament<i. For about eight years he remained 
on the Pacific sloi)e, and farmc<l for about two 
years near t''arst)n, raising barley. The railroad 
being built in that locality spoiled his market. He 
was also for two years engaged in mining in Eu- 
reka, Nev., and in that undertaking met with 
good success. lie also spent one year in San Fran- 
cisco. In 1S72 he returned to Madison County 
and i>urchased the farm on which he now i-esides. 

Mr. Konnan was married in 1.S71, the lady of 
his clii)ice being INIiss Sai-ah Tipton, a native of 
lOngland, who came to the United States during 
her girlhood. Their union was blessed with five 
children, three sons and two daugiiters: Samuel, 
William, Nellie Maj'. Sarah E. and Bertie Lee. 
The family circle yet remains unbniken, and tiie 
cliiiiben are yet under the paiental roof. 

Mr. Korman is a strong temperance man, using 
neither intoxicants nor tol)acco in any form, and 
b}- his ballot supports the Prohibition party, lie 
has served as School Trustee, and the cause of etlu- 
cation finds in him a friend. Socially, he is con- 
nected with Uetliaito Lodge No. l^if), I. (). O. F., 
and is a member of the Christian Church. Ilis 
life has been well and worthily passed, and ;dl 
who know him esteem him highly on account of 
his many excellencies of character. 



■^ IfcALKER IIANDLON is one of the worthy 
\/lJr *'■''''-•'"* "f M-idison Country, who h.as won 
\^^ a comfortable fortune by the exercise of 
unflagging industry, wise economy anrl good judg- 
ment in tlie<'onduct of tlie affairs to which he has 
devoted himself. He is at present living in Ed- 
wardsville, bnt still retains the ownership of his' 
farm of one hundred and eighty acres, which he 
rents to his son Henry. This place is one (i{ the 
most attractive in the township. .umI everywhere 



about It one sees evidences of the qualities which 
have won for its owner his worthy success and 
good standing in the community. 

A n.ativc of this county, our subject was boin in 
Pin Oak Township, August 4, 1827, and is a son 
of IMathias and Harriet (Walker) Ilandlon. The 
former wa.s a native of Virginia, whence he was 
taken by his parents to Kentucky when only two 
years of .ige, and with them also came to this state 
in the year 181 1, when quite a young man. lie 
purchased an unimproved farm and spent the rest 
of his life in its cultivation, dying when sixty-six 
years of age. This gentleman was the son of ,Iere- 
miah Handlon, who was born in Ireland, and after 
emigrating to the I'nited States lived in various 
states, dying in Kentucky. 

The mother of our subject was born in the Blue 
Crass State and in an early day .accompanied her 
parents on their removal to Illinois. After her 
marriage she reared a family of eleven chiltlren, 
and dei)arted this life on the old homestead when 
sixty-four years of age. Of her family eight grew 
to mature years, and of those living our subject is 
the only son. He was reared to farm pursuit.s, 
conducted his studies in the pioneer school and 
thereby gained a good education. 

Mr. Ilandlon was married March M. 18f>l, to 
Miss l'",li/.abeth Baiid, who was born in this county, 
and who was the daughter of .lohn and Mary A. 
(Kilpatrick) I'.aird, natives res))ectively of County 
Tyrone and County Donegal, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Baird set sail for the United States about 1836 from 
Liverpool, and after being six weeks on the water 
landed at Philadelphia, Pa. They made their 
home in the (Quaker City for the six years follow- 
ing, the father during that time being employed 
as watchman. Having heard such glowing ac- 
counU* of the new western country, and being 
anxious to gain a competence, the family came by 
way <i{ the river to this county and located on 
land near Edwardsville. This they cle.-ired of 
the brush, erected a frame dwelling and resided 
there for many years. They are both now dece.a.s- 
cd, the f.'ither dying when in his eight3'-sixth year, 
and the mother when sixty-four years of age. The 
paternal ^'ranilfatlier of Mrs. Handlon was .lames 
Bali'd, anil on the mollni's si(i<' of the house she 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



197 



was a graiifldanghter of Willinui ami Fannie (Mc- 
Gee) Kilpalrick. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there have 
been born eight ciiihlren, of whom we make the 
following mention: Mary H. married Herman 
Wolf; John Henry married Lou Reid and is oper- 
ating the old iionie farm; Amy is now Mrs. Alonzo 
Wood; Minnie E. was the next in order of birth; 
Fannie W. became the wife of James Mathews; Ed- 
win W., Margaret J. and George A. are at home. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Handlon located 
upon a farm, which he cultivated until 1893. That 
year he retired from active work, and renting the 
estate to his son, moved into Edwardsville. In 
politics he is a Democrat and has been School Di- 
rector for man3' years. A respected and honored 
man, he is ever read y to bear such a part as he can 
in the progress of the county. 



"^] 



!^+^l 



(^r 




■^♦^ lETRICH C. 8CHEER. An honorable po- 
sition among the agriculturists of this 
county is held by the gentleman above 
named. lie is the fortunate possessor of 
three hundred and sixty broad acres, which are 
controlled and managed by his son Harry. Our 
subject is a native of Germany, and was born in 
Hanover February 18, 1827. His parents were 
Cort Henry and Elizabeth (Oetker) Scheer, also 
natives of the above place, where the father plied 
his trade of a blacksmith. 

In the fall of 1842 the parental family set sail 
from liremen on the " Columl)us," commanded by 
Captain Hilkens, and was sixty-three days in m.ak- 
ing the trip to America. They landed in New 
Orleans, whence they made their way up the Mis- 
sissippi to St. Louis, Mo., which passage, on ac- 
count of the stormy weather, consumed eleven 
d.ays. There they remained until word could be 
sent to the l)rother-in-law of D. C. Scheer, who was 
residing in this county. Upon receiving a favora- 
l)le reply they at once came hither and located 
upon land near the present home of our subject, 



where the father died at the age of seventy years. 
His good wife followed him to the better land two 
years later, di'ing when in her fifty-seventh year. 
She became the mother of eight children, of whom 
onl}- our subject and his brotiier, Ilenr}^ C, sur- 
vive. The latter makes his home in Pana, this 
state, where lie is living retired. 

Dietrich C, of this sketch, received his education 
in Germany, where he also learned the trade of a 
blacksmith, which lie followed for a year and a-half 
after coming to the United States. In 1848 he 
rented a farm in Ft. Russell Township. This he be- 
gan to cultivate, and in the fall of the succeeding 
year became the proprietor of a quarter-section of 
land, which was in its primitive state at the time 
of his purchase. He devoted himself to clearing 
and improving it and soon made it one of the 
most valuable estates in the vicinity. 

The marriage of Mr. Scheer with Miss Christine 
Keppel was celebrated April 23, 1851. The lady 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, and departed this 
life at the early age of twenty-one years, leaving 
an infant daughter. The second union of our sub- 
.ject took place November 17, 1853, at which time 
Miss Louisa D. Dierking became his wife. Like 
her husband she was a native of Hanover, born 
January 21, 1831, to Frederick and Anna (Frerk- 
ing) Dierking, who came to America in 1837. The 
parents of Mrs. Scheer first settled in St. Louis 
County, but later removed to La Fayette County, 
Mo., where they both died when advanced in 
years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Scheer was born a family of nine 
children, of whom five still survive: Edward C, 
Bertha, Mary, Lulu C. and Harry G. They have 
all been given good educations and are well fitted 
to occupy almost any position in life. 

When our subject located here he occupied a 
cabin 26x22 feet in dimensions until 1875, when 
he completed his more substantial and commodi- 
ous dwelling. His fine farm, which is devoted to 
mixed agriculture, is operated by his son Harry, 
while he is living in retirement. His life affords a 
striking illustration of what well directed energy, 
steadfast-purpose and never ceasing effort can ac- 
coiniilish. Mr. Scheer gives his support to the 
Democratic part^-, which he believes to be in the 



1 '.>8 



PORTRAIT AND RIOC.RAPinCAL RECORD 



iif;lil. llo li:is (H-cupiiMl viuious lucnl olliccs, iiiiil in 
1800 was clecU'il .liislirc of llio I'mi-p, (liM-li!iij;iii,<i 
Ills iliilies as such in a creditable iiianiior for twelve 
years. 

. • ^P ' 

ESDR C'ASsms RALSTARS. Thf tcllowin- 
sketcli is of one of the most prominent men 
ij in Madison County and one who, having 
lived in Ft. Russell Township for many years, is 
closely indentilied with its various interests. From 
an humble position in life he has by the exercise 
of great energies arisen to a front rank among the 
most .substantial farmers in this section, and is now 
the owner of sixteen hundred acres of valuable 
land, which has been accumulated entirely through 
his own unaided efforts. 

A (ierman by birth, our subject was born in 
Fricstand, Juno 10, 1816, and is a son of Cassius 
and Trinke IJalslars, also natives of the above 
place. When our subject was a lad of five years 
his mother died, after having had four children, 
of whom only two yet survive. The father of 
our subject was a second time married and con- 
tinued to reside in his native land vintil de|)aiting 
this life in his fiftieth year. 

Ede C. remained at home until twenty -seven 
years of age and then spent the following tiiiec 
yeare working for other people. In 181G he set 
sail from Hremcn on the "Victoria," which was 
over seven weeks in making the passage to New 
Orleans. From that jjlace he sailed up the Missis- 
sii)pi Hiver to St. Louis, where he remained for a 
twelvemonth. Then purchasing eighty aores of 
land in St. Clair County, he erected a small frame 
house and commenced to make his wa^' in the 
world. 15y careful economy he had saved from 
his earnings *1(»0, which enabled him to iiay for 
his farm. After coming to America he worked 
many days for twenty-live cents, and while in 
Missouri was employed on a dairy f.-mn, receiv- 
ing for his services ^7 per month. 

The marriage of Mr. lialstars occurred May 1(>, 
1848, and united him with Miss Rebecca Johanna 
Wicines, who w.as b(Mn in (ierinany October 3, 
1821. She made the trip to America on the .same 
vessel that eouveyed our subject to his new home. 



and when re.uhing New ( )rle;uis re]iiaine<l in that 
city for several months. She is the daughter of 
.lolin and Anna Wiemes, who emigrated to the 
I'nited States about 1853, and made their home 
in SI. Clair County, this state, for one year, after 
which they moverl to this section and here spent 
the remaining years of their lives. 

To Mr. and Mrs. lialstars have been granted 
nine children, of whom those still living are: 
Oietrich, Anna, Joliann, Conrad, Frcdericka, Ed- 
ward and Henry Meino. When ready to establish 
a home of his own, our subject lowited upon his 
present farm, and in 1872 built thereon a substan- 
tial and commodious residence. lie is now one of 
the most inlliienlial (Mtizens of the county and 
the owner of over lifteeii hundred and seventy 
acres of land, all of which lies in this county with 
the exception of six hundred acres in Montgomery 
County. He is a gentleman in every sense f)f the 
word, and conducts his affairs wilii tliat amount of 
energy which insures success. 

l\Ir. IJalstars has lieen in harmony witii the He- 
publican part) since coming to Ameuica and cast 
his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. lie is as loyal 
to our Government as though he were a native 
born citizen, and when his children were old 
eiiougii to enter school, he sent them to the cele- 
brated Anierican free schools; this was objected to 
by his i>astor. When (lueslioned on the subject 
by that gcnllenian, he replied that when he took 
out his papers he became an American anil that he 
wished his children to oc educated in the free 
schools of this country. He is .-i kind-hearteil and 
noble man, and with the aid of his estimable wife 
has .■u'cnnnilaled his large property and carved out 
his own career. As a self-made man the record of 
his life can be held up to the present generation 
as an example of what may be accomplished in 
this country by pluck and honestj'. 



E+++++-H") 



>p^ AMl'KL STAIIL, a retired farmer now liv- 

^^^ ing on section .'iO, Moro Township, Madi- 

Ifl/^fl) son County, claims rennsylvaiiia as the 

state of his nativity. He was boi'ii in 

Somerset County on the 28lh of February, 1816. 




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL. RECORD. 



201 



His father, Daniel Stahl, was also a native of the 
same localit^^ and was a weaver by trade, but for 
many years followed agricultural pursuits. He 
married Nancy Fox, wlio was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and who was of English descent. The}' 
spent their entire lives on the farm where they 
first located, the father's death occurring at the 
age of eighty-five years, while his wife passed 
away when eighty j'ears of age. They had a 
family of eleven children, all of whom reached 
mature years. 

Our subject is liio fourth child and third son of 
(lie family'. He was reared in his native state, 
spending the days of his boyhood and youth in the 
usual manner of farmer lads. In the subscription 
schools he acquired his education, and to his fa- 
ther gave the benefit of his services until twenty- 
three years of age. As a companion and help- 
mate on life's journey he chose Miss Elizabeth 
Boucher, their wedding being celebrated on Christ- 
mas Day of 1839. The lad}- was born in Somer- 
set County, Pa., November 7, 1815; slie was a 
daughter of Solomon Boucher, who was born in 
the Keystone State of German parentage, and who 
was a prominent farmer of Somerset County. He 
married Catherine Countryman, a native of Penn- 
S3lvania, and their union was blessed with twelve 
children. 

Upon his marriage Mr. Stalil located in Somer- 
set County, but afterward removed to Westmore- 
land County, Pa., where he remained for three 
years. At length he determined to seek a home 
in Illinois, hoping thereby to benefit his financial 
condition, and came direct to Madison County, 
reaching Edwardsville in 1853. There he re- 
mained throughout the succeeding winter, and in 
the spring of 1854 purchased the farm which has 
now been his home for forty years. He success- 
fully carried on agricultural pursuits and became 
the owner of a valuable farm comprising one 
hundred and twenty acres of rich land, which he 
now rents. He is now living retired on a hand- 
some competence, which supplies him with all 
the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. 

Eight children were born of the uuion of Mr. 
and Mrs. Stahl,four sons and four daughters, viz.: 
John H. and Daniel L., both of whom follow 



farming in Moro Township; Mary Ann .lane, now 
deceased; Cyrus S., who is living in Moro Town- 
ship; Louisa E., wife of John Hilton; Nancy M., 
wife of Lewis Moore, a resident of Bethalto, 111.; 
Minnie M., and Stephen A. D., who is now a resi- 
dent of Terre Haute, Ind. 

In his political views Mr. Stahl is a Democrat, 
and warmly advocates the principles of his parly. 
He has served as School Director and Road Su- 
pervisor, and discharged his duties with |)rompt- 
ness and fidelity. He is a prominent member of 
the Presb3'terian Church, takes an active part in 
its work, and is now serving as Elder and Trus- 
tee. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. 
They are prominent people of this community, 
holding a high position in social circles, and then- 
friends are many. 







<i[^MIL MARTI. The career of this gentle- 
1^ man, who is now living in Highland, has 
1^^^ been one of perseverance and integiity, 
and has been crowned with the success which those 
meet who steadily pursue their way doing that 
wliich their hands find to do. Mr. Marti is an ex- 
ponent of the fact so fre(iuent3- stated, and which 
so many j'oung men seem to love, that " in acting 
well one's part there all the honor lies." 

Our subject was born in Peoria, this state, June 
30, 1863, and is the son of Seb.istian Marti, whose 
birth occurred in Switzerland April 28, 1834. The 
latter came to America in 1837; he was a machin- 
ist and worked at his trade in St. Louis, Trenton, 
Belleville, Peoria and in this city, to which place 
he came in 1867. Later he became the pro- 
prietor of a saloon, and for the last twentj'-seven 
years has been engaged in the business at the same 
stand. He is also largely interested in other en- 
terprises, and in 1881 began dealing in lumber, 
the business being managed b^' his eldest son, our 
subject. The elder Mr. Marti is also a stockholder 



202 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the Highland Rank and llic proprietor of valu- 
al)ie real estate, which he has accnniulated since 
coming to this place. 

Of the five children comprised in the parental 
faniil_v, our subject is the eldest, his brother and 
sisters being .lulius, Hcrtha, Anna and Kninia. He 
was only four years of ago when his parents came 
to Hiijhland, and here he received his early train- 
ing in the cuninion schools, after which he went 
to St. Louis and took a course in the St. Louis 
University and .Tolinston's Commercial College. 
After completing his studies lie remained in the 
Jlound City for two j"ears, during which time he 
was em|)loved as clerk in the large dry-goods es- 
tablishment known as the " Famous." 

In 1881 our subject returned to Highland and 
became connected with his father in the lumber 
yard, which has since been under his man.agement. 
He is industrious and enterprising, and being one 
of the pushing young business man ()f the place, is 
deservedly popular with all with whom he has deal- 
ings. Julius Marti, the brother of our subject, 
was Ixirn in Peoria May 2C, 18fi6, and received 
his education in the local schools and in Bryant 
& Stratton's Commercial College in .St. Louis. 
He learned the confectioners" trade in St. Louis, 
but in 188G returned to this place and is now 
working in his father's lumber yard. The sisters 
Bertha and .\nnie are at home with their parents, 
and Kninia, the wife of Albert Kuehne, is living 
in St. Louis, where her husband is a wholesale 
commission merchant. 



i®_ ^^m^ -^ 



m 



JOHN SPENCKR owns and operates a co.al 
mine near Bcthalto, in which place he is at 
present residing. He was born in Bradford, 
^^_^ Yorkshire, Knglan<1, in 1829, and emigrated 
to the United .States on account r)f poor health. 
Finding the climate very beneficial, he four years 
later sent for his family Ui join him. and is now 



one of the prominent business men of Madison 
Count}'. 

The parents of our subject, .lolin and KUen 
(Artier) Spencer, were also of English birth, and 
in tliat isle his paternal grandfather, .Tohn Spen- 
cer, lived. The latter was a farm laborer, and lie- 
ing in limited circumstances, his childicn were 
given very ordinary school ailvantagcs. His fam- 
ily' consisted of a son and two danglilcrs, .lolin 
(the father of our subject), Mary and Nancy. Tlic 
grandfather lived to a rii)c old age, passing away 
in his native land. 

.lohn Spencer, the father of our subject, w.as a 
clothmaker by trade, which occiiiiation he followed 
his entire life, living and dying in Yorkshire, 
where his wife also spent her host years. Their 
family included, Nancy and Elizabeth, who died 
in England; Eliza, now living in Macoui)in Coun- 
ty, this state; our subject; Anna, the wife of David 
(irundy. who died in Utah, and Thomas, who also 
came to the United States, and departed this life in 
Bcthalto. 

When a lad of ten years our subject began to 
make his own w.a}' in the world, his first employ- 
ment being as a helper to stone masons, carrying 
mort:u". He was next engaged in breaking stones 
on the railroad, and when twelve years old entered 
the coal mines, and was there employed until com- 
ing to the United States in 185.3. Mr. S|)encer 
was married in Yorkshire in 1850 to Miss Grace, 
daughter of .loseph and Hannah Rooks, by whom 
he became the father of two children, who arc now 
deceased, Edwin dying after coming to America. 

The original of our sketch after landing in this 
country- made his way to Missouri, where he re- 
mained for three years working in the mines. At 
the expiration of that time we find him located in 
Fosterburgh Township, this county, where he pnr- 
ch.ased land and operated a mine. Here he remain- 
ed until about six j'cars ago, when he removed to 
his present location. This tract consists of eigh- 
teen acres of coal lands, which he is working, hav- 
ing in his employ three or four men. 

Mr. Spencer is a public-spirited, whole-souled 
man, and h.as in numerous ways added to the pop- 
ularity of this section. In 18!11 he fitted up a 
grove known as Spencer's Grove, in which to hold 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



203 



picnies. lie has spared neither time nor money to 
make tlie place attractive for tlie young people, 
and the crc)wning feature of the grounds is a 
large dancing hall. 

Mrs. rirace Spencer died in this county in 1882, 
anil the lady whom our subject chose as his second 
companion was Mrs. Laura (Perry) Knight. To 
them has been born a daughter, Grace Kllen. Mrs. 
Spencer iiad one daughter and four sons by her 
former union, namely: 'I'homas, L., Benjamin, 
Perry and Irene. In politics our subject is a 
strong Democrat. While living in Kngland he was 

member of the United Shepherds. 




REDERICK B. SUPPIGER. During the 
past quarter of a century the annually in- 
creasing importance of the lumber busi- 
ness has induced many shrewd, far-seeing men to 
adf)pt it as their occupation, .and among the num- 
ber we present the name and life record of Mr. 
Suppigcr, the lumber merchant of Highland. His 
entire life has been passed in this cit3', where he 
was boin July 21, 1852. 

The father of our subject, Godfrej' M. Suppiger, 
was born in the historic Canton Luzerne, Switzer- 
land, and when a boy of eleven years came to 
America with his brother .Joseph, having left their 
native land on account of religious persecution. 
In time he became one of the leading business 
men of Highland, of which he was an earlj- set- 
tler. He was one of the organizers of the High- 
land Milling Company, with which he was con- 
nected at the time of his death. His wife, whose 
maiden name w.as Caroline Pagan, was also born 
in Switzerland, and is now living in Highland. 

Our subject is the eldest of three brothers, and 
the only one now living. Edward died when a 
lioy of eleven years; Louis, who completed his 
studies in one of the medical colleges of this coun- 
try, took passage for German}' with the intention 
of continuing his medical researches there. He 
was a passenger on the ill-fated "Schiller" that 



was lost at sea May 8, 1875, with all on board, 
including many of the leading citizens of High- 
land. 

At his father's suburban residence, adjoining 
the city of Highland, our subject spent the years 
of his boyhood and >outh. In the local schools 
and in those of Charleston, HI., he received a 
good education. In 1870 he crossed the ocean 
and continued his studies in the academj' at Lau- 
sanne. Switzerland, later studying at Zurich. 
After some time spent in travel both jn Europe 
and in this country, he returned to Highland, 
and in 1880 embarked in the lumber business as 
a member of the firm of Thorp, Kinne & Sup- 
piger. In 1888 ha disposed of his interest in the 
concern and the following yeav established his 
present business, which he has since conducted 
with success. 

With the public affairs of the city Mr. Suppiger 
is closelj' identified. For a number of 3'ears be- 
fore the city was incorporated he served as a 
member of the Village Board, and was for four 
years its President. When the city government 
was established in 1884, he became the first Mayor, 
and filled that office for five years, making nine 
years altogether that he was at the head of the 
village and city government. For a long time he 
was a member of the Board of Education. He 
aided in the organization of the Highland Shoot- 
ing Society', and li.as been its Secretary for eigh- 
teen years. Aside from this, his attention is 
concentrated upon the details of his extensive 
business. Politically', he is a Democrat and a 
prominent factor in local politics. .Socially, he 
afliliates with the Chapter and Knight Templar 
Masons and the Ancient Order of United Work- 
men; he is also a charter member of the Knights 
of Honor. He is a member of the Turners' So- 
ciety, of which for man}' 3'ears he was Secretarj', 
and is a Director of the Illinois Retail Lumber 
Dealers' Association and Secretary of the High- 
land Dairy Association. 

In 187G Mr. Suppiger married Miss Paulina, 
daughter of the late l')r. F'elder, who came to 
Highland from Missouri, was the leading ph^-- 
sician of the place for years and also took a prom- 
inent part in local politics. Mr. and Mrs. Sup- 



204 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



piger have liatl five clulilron, liiit- two died in 
infiuicy. The survivinj; I'liildroii arc (iodfrc}-, 
Stella and Florence. Ipon tlic old lioinestead 
where he was horn Mr. Suppitrer now resides, snr- 
rounded hy ever3- comfort which can promote 
happiness. In 1888 he made a second extended 
European tour, traveliiiu; throiiijh Switzerland, 
(iermany, France and Italy. Through his ex- 
tended travels and habits of close observation 
of different nations he has l)ecomc a man of 
broad information, and one with whom many an 
hour nia^- be spent in pleasant companionship. 



(^ 



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=0 



\liOIlN S. IIOERNKR. Mo newspaper in 
I southern Illinois wields a greater inlUience 
^fxJ\\ for good than does the Iligliland Union, of 
'^^' which Mr. Iloerner is editor and proprietor. 
The oflice, composing and job rooms occupy' a 
large two-story brick building, which is one of the 
best in the city, the ajjpointments being complete 
in every department. In addition to the publica- 
tion of the paper, an extensive business is done in 
job printing of all kinds. The press rooms contain 
the latest and most approved machinery, and the 
plant is operated by steam power. Altogether the 
ollice is one of the best in this section. 

Our subject is the son of Michael Iloenicr, a na- 
tive of Germany and a weaver by trade, wiio came 
to the United States in 18.5G and settled at Kd- 
wardsville. III., entering vipoii the life of a farmer in 
Madison County. .lolin S. was born in Remlingen, 
Ravaria, German^', .January 28, 181G, and was a lad 
of ten years when he came to this ct)untry. lie at- 
tended the schools of Ed wardsville until 18G0, wlien 
he entered the oIllcc of the Madison Adrertiser. 
This paper was subsequently merged into the Ed- 
wardsville Courier, but after a few years was pur- 
chased and changed to the Ed wardsville Rcpublivmi. 
Having determined to make newspaper work his life 
occupation, and wishing to master every liranch of 
the printing business, he went to St. Ix)uis in 1X02 



and was there employed in some of the largest 
printing ollices of the city. 

Going to Alton, III., in 18G1, Mr. Iloerner was 
employed in a i>riiiting odice for a year, being in 
that city wiien President Lincoln was .assassinated. 
Upon iiis return to .St. Louis, he resumed work in 
the ollice where he had previously l)een employed. 
In .June, IKGG, ho came to Highland to launch 
himself in the newspaper business. He became 
connected with the Union. A\n\ in December of the 
.same year formed a partnership with Di. Gailus 
Rutz. They purchaseil the Union plant from a 
stock company and assumed its management. In 
1871 Mr. Iloerner became sole proprietor of the 
paper, which has since enjoyed remarkable pros- 
perity. 

In politics Mr. Iloerner has ever adhered to the 
principles of the Republican partj*. In his early 
boyhood da^'s in his native land, he was wont to 
hear his father speak of "free" America, and 
at the age of ten years he set sail for this country 
reaching here during the heated campaign of IH.'iG, 
in which the slavery question took such a promin- 
ent part. Then it was that he first learned that 
in "free" America human beings were bought and 
sold like cattle in his native I>avaria. Having 
hail the fact impressed upon his mind that the Re- 
publican party w.as the friend of the slave, he de- 
cided in boyhood that it w.as the right party to 
belong to. From that day to this he has never had 
any cause to regret (he stand he took. However, 
he is not a rabid jiartisan, but his criticisms of men 
and party principles are able, fair and impartial. 
In a logical way he states what seems to him right 
and for the best good of all parties, and then aj)- 
peals to the judgment of thinking people. As a 
result his paper is a power in local politics. 

In the enterprises connected with the develop- 
ment of the town, Mr. Iloerner has maintained a 
constant interest, principal among which may be 
mentioned the Milk Condensing Company. He 
is a stockholder in the Highland I'.ank. Socially, 
he alliliates with the Chapter Masons, the Knights 
of Honor, the Modern Woodmen of America, 
the Turners' Society, the Harmony Singing So- 
ciety and the Sharpshooters. 

Mr. Iliierner is an only son, but has several sis- 



PORTRAIT AND JJIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



205 



ters. His fatlier died in 1859, and bis mother, 
January 2, 1874. He was united in marriage May 
9, 1878, with Miss Rosa Eggen, who was born in 
Highland. Her father, Jacob Eggen, settled in 
this city in 1837, and served as the tlrst President 
of the Village Board, being for years one of tiie 
leading men of thecomniunit}-. His death occurred 
at the age of ninety. Mr. and Mrs. Hoerner have 
had four children, two of whom died in infanc}'. 
The surviving children are, Hulda and Oiga, who 
are beinsj educated in the scliools of Higliland. 






UDWIG PAPE, who is both widely and fa- 
^ vorably known in INIadison Count}', now 
follows fanning on section 25, Moro Town- 
ship. He was born in Brunswick, Germany, Sep- 
tember 6, 1822, and is the youngest of Ave cinl- 
dren. The parents, Ludwig and Gustina (Miller) 
Pape, were also natives of Germany and there 
spent their entire lives, the father following the 
occupation of farming. 

Our subject was reared and educated in his na- 
tive country, and wlien twent3'-eight years of age 
determined to seek a home in the New World, 
hoping thereby to benefit his Hnancial condition. 
In 1850 he arrived in Chicago, thence went to Al- 
ton, on to Edwaidsvillc and Rich Prairie, and 
then came to Moro Township. As he had no 
ca[)ital to purchase land he worked as a farm 
hand by the month, receiving $12 per month for 
his services, more than any other employe was re- 
ceiving at that time, for he w.as placed in charge of 
the farm and was paid accordingly. When as the re- 
sult of his industry and economy lie had acquired 
some ca|)ital, in 1852 he purchased his present 
farm, and located thereon in 1855. It was a tract 
of wild land, but he cleared away the brush, broke 
the prairie with ox-teams, planted the lieids and 
in course of time gathered abundant harvests. 
Acre after acre was thus improved, until he be- 
came the owner of one of the finest farms of the 
commuuily. The buildings upon the place stand 



as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He 
first bought one hundred and sixty acres, and also 
a twenty-acre timber tract, so that he might have 
material for fences. The greater part of the rails he 
split himself, working from early dawn until late 
at night. As the result of his persistent effort, lie 
now owns three hundred and twenty acres in the 
home farm, fifty-two acres of timber land and an- 
other farm of one hundred and seventy acres, liis 
landed possessions therefore aggregating five hun- 
dred and forty-two acres. 

Mr. Pape was married in Madison County, in 
1850, to Miss Sophia Engelke, daughter of Charles 
and Caroline (Schaffer) Engelke, who came to 
America in 1850. Three sons and four daughters 
bless this union: Lewis, now a prosperous farmer; 
Ferdinand and Fred, who also carry on agricult- 
ural pursuits; Linnie, wife of William Frank, a 
farmer of Omphghent Township; Julia, wife of 
William Peters, of the same township; Sophia, wife 
of Richard Ilinkle, of Moro Township;and Minnie, 
wife of Christ Hinkel, an agriculturist of Moro 
Township. All were born on the old homestead 
farm and are well educated in both English and 
German. 

Mr. Pape and his sons are all advocates of Re- 
publican principles. For two years he served as 
Su|)ervisor of his township, was President of the 
School Board for twenty-three years, and is a 
progressive and public-spirited, citizen who mani- 
fests a commendable interest in everything per- 
taining to the welfare of the communit}'. His 
life has been a busy and useful one, and he may 
truly be called a self-made man, for he began bus- 
iness without capital, save a pair of willing hands 
and a strong determination to succeed. The dif- 
ficulties in his path he has overcome by energy 
and enterprise and thus has won success. 



lEORGE IIOTZ, Sheriff of M.adison County, 
and a resident of Edwardsville, is num- 
bered among the leading sons of this coun- 
ty. He was born April 21, 1813, his parents be- 
ing Christian and Mary E. (Weber) Ilotz. His 




206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



fiillicr was l)oni in Hadcn, Geniiany, in 1817, and 
his wife February 2, 1820. Tliey were married in 
that eounlry in 183'J, and tlie followin';^ year 
crossed the Atlantic, rcacliin;^ Ilii^lilaiid. 111., on 
the 1st of April. There Mr. llutz entered land 
and developed a farm. Hoth he and his wife arc 
still living. They hold mcml)ership with the 
Catiiolic Church, and in politics lie is a Democrat. 
In their family' were fifteen children, the following 
of whom survive: George; Kmnia, wife of John S. 
Stroble; Christian, Henry; Anna, wife of Peter 
iswartz; Maggie, wife of Joseph Winter; Mary, 
wife of Joseph Dumbeck; and John. 

The early life of George Ilotz was spent upon 
the old home farm, and to his father he gave the 
benefit of his labors. His education was acijuired 
in the public scliools. On attaining his majority, 
he started out in life for himself, renting the old 
home place, which lie operated for three 3'ears, and 
then purch.ised one hundred and sixty acres of 
land. This he improved and cultivated for four 
years, when he disix)sed of that property and 
bought three hundred and sixteen acres of land. 
This improved farm he still owns, and it yiehls 
to him a good income. He afterwards bought 
one liundred and fifty .acres, upon which he made 
his home until his removal to Edwardsville, in 
the year 1882. In addition to this he has a one 
hundred acre tract under a high state of cultiva- 
tion, and some town lots in Edwardsville, on 
whicii he li.as a lumber yard, stocked willi Itiiiiber 
from all sections of the country. He also owns 
another lumber yard in Marine, and has an inter- 
est in the Highland Elevator. 

In 1808 Mr. Hot/, w.as elected Constable of Sa- 
line Township, and for fourteen years served as 
School Director. When the township organiza- 
tion took place in 187,5, he was elected As.sessor, 
wiiich ollice he filled for three successive terms. In 
1878 he was elected Collector, and in 1879 was 
made Supervisor; this ollice he filled until 1882, 
when he was nominated for Sheriff on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, and was elected under the new law 
for a term of four years, serving until 1886, wheji 
he ran for County Treasurer, but was defeated. In 
18'J0 he was again nominated by the Democrats 
for the office of Sheriff, and was elected by the 



largest majority given any man on that ticket. In 
political matters he has taken a very active part. 
Mr. Ilotz was married M.ay 5, 1864, in Millstadt, 
St. Clair County, III., to Anna Merkel, daughter of 
Henry P. and Anna (Hasch) Merkel. To them 
have been born the following children: Mary, 
now the wife of Antone Wieneke; Henry P.; Anna; 
Theresa, who is a Sister in a. convent in St. Louis, 
Mo.; Louisa, Katie, Lena and George V. All are 
yet living. The parents arc membersof the Cath- 
olic Church. Mr. Hotz has been successful in his 
business enterprises, and has accuiiiulatcd ;i hand- 
some competence. His odicial duties have ever 
been discharged to the satisfaction of liie i)ublic, 
and have reflected credit upon himself. 



(^ 



er 




^ 



^ 



^^EPH n. OWICNS, who is a representative of 
^if' one of the old and prominent families in 
/ ''- -^ , the county, is carrying on agririiilural pur- 
suits in Ft. Russell Towiislii|), on an estate left him 
by his father. He is a native of the county, and 
was born Febniarv 1, 1868, to Josiah 1'. and Sarah 
L. (Jones) Owens. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
Edmund and Anna (Phelps) Owens, natives of 
North Carolina. Josiah Owens wasliorn in David- 
son County, Tenn., May 26, 182'J, and w.os a lad 
of nine years when he accompanied his parents on 
their removal to this eouiily. He was m:irried 
March 20, 1856, to Miss Siirah L. J<jnes; she was 
born in this township April 27, 1826, and was the 
daughter of Martin and Margaret (Wright) Jones. 
A fuller history of her parents will be found in 
the sketch of James Jones, which will lie found on 
another page in this volume. 

For about nine years after their marriage, the 
elder .Mr. and Mrs. Owens resided on their farm 
in New Douglas Township, three miles south uf 
New Douglas. The farm comprised two liundred 
acres of partially improved land, on which he 
erected a small frame house 18x20 feet, in which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



207 



tlie faniil}- made their home for nine years. Tiiey 
then came to Ft. Russell Township, where the fa- 
Liier erected a commodious and substantial brick 
dwelling and devoted his energies to cultivating 
his fields. He became one of the well-to-do farm- 
ers of this township and resided here until his 
death, ,Iuly 27, 1884. lie w.as greatly interested 
in school affairs and served .as Director for many 
years. lie was a devoted member of the Baptist 
Cluirch. He gave his aid to every project calcu- 
l.ated to advance the interests of the community, 
and was consequently regarded as one of the 
prominent residents of the count}-. 

Z. B., of this sketch, was one in a family of five 
children, of whom those living besides himself are, 
Ivoselta and Riley P. The former, who was born 
in 1859, is the wife of M. B. Trabuc, and is 
a graduate of Greenville College. Our subject 
was given a fine education, being a graduate of 
Shurtleff College, from which institution his 
brf)ther also received a diploma. He is very pop- 
ular in his community, and is a member of the 
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association. In politics 
he never fails to vote for Democratic candidates, 
and takes an active interest in all public affairs. 
Socially, he is an Odd Fellow of good standing, 
holding membership in Bethalto with Lodge No. 
47, in which he is Noble Grand. 



m^i-i^ii 



KKNARD A. .SUPPIGER. In every local- 
ity reside those who have successfully ac- 
/(f^")Jll complished their life work and have earned 
^5S^ a season of rest, while the work is resigned 
to 3ounger and more eager hands. This is the 
case with the subject of the present sketch, who is 
a retired blacksmith living in the city of High- 
land. He vvas born in Sursee, canton of Luzerne, 
Switzerland, .July 13, 1823, and is the son of John 
Suppiger, also a native of that land. The latter 
gentleman was a weaver by trade, and had the 
honor of making the first cloth in his native laud. 
The father of our subject emigrated to America 
in 1833, and coming immediately to this county, 



located on a farm near Highland. His family 
comprised eleven children, of whom our subject 
was the 30ungest but one. He was only four 
years of age when he was deprived of the care of 
his mother, and at the time of the emigration of 
his family to America, ten of the children were 
living, but at the present time there are only 
three survivors, our subject and his two sisters: 
Anna, who is the widow of Dr. Doway, and resides 
in (iuincy, this state; and Cecelia, widow of .Tolin 
Schell, who also makes her home in that city. Our 
subject's brother John, with his family, was lost 
in the ill-fated steamer "Schiller," which went 
down in the Atlantic with all on board, May 8, 
1875. 

Bernard A. grew to mature 3'ears in Highland, 
and attended the district school during his boy- 
hood. When old enough he learned the black- 
smith's trade, and followed it for more than forty 
years, or until he retired in 1887. He was a man 
of fine pliysical health, and dfiring these long 
years devoted himself to his calling with no small 
success. His comfortable position in life h.as been 
won by energy and perseverance, united with 
economy and good business qualifications, and the 
youth who may peruse this sketch could do no bet- 
ter than emulate his example. His life has been 
well s|)ent and his work vvell done, and when 
death shall have closed the scene, his memory will 
be greatly cherished and the verdict of all who 
have known him will be "he has done what he 
could." 

Our subject was united in marriage in 1849, with 
Miss Martha Wickenhouser. She departed this 
life August 21, 1883, after having become the 
mother of two children: John X., who died in in- 
fancy; and C'elia, now the wife of Jacob Mentz, 
who resides in Highland. The lady whom our 
subject chose as his second companion was I\Irs. 
Anna Mentz, the widow of .Tohn Kinne. Our 
subject came of a famil\' energetic, honest and 
progressive, which is the kind of people who 
build up anj' section and make it take a high rank 
among the communities of this great state. 

All his life Mr. Suppiger worked for the good 
of the Democratic part}', and in religious affairs he 
belongs to the United Lutheran Church, and is 



208 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 




very liberal and good hearted. lie was one of 
the origin.il nieinhcrs of the .Shooting Society in 
tills section, in which he took great interest. 



-=^=^>^^Me^ 



p*^ IIAULKS ENGELKK, wiio follows farming 
on section 25, Moro Townsiiip, Madison 
County, is now serving as 'ruwnsiiip .Su- 
pervisor, and is one of the representative citizens 
of the community. lie has by well directed efforts 
steadily worlvcd his way upward from an humble 
position, and as the result of his industry and per- 
severance has acquired a handsome competence. 
The many sterling (|ualitics of his character are 
well vv(jrlli3' of emulation. 

Mr. Engclke wjis born in IJrunswick, Germany, 
May 12, 1!S32, and is the lifth in the family of 
seven children, whose parents were Charles and 
Caroline (SchalTer) Engelkc. The father was a 
school Icaclier and a prominent citi/x-n in the 
community in which he lived. When a ^oung 
man of eiglilecii years our sul)ject emigrated to 
the I'nited .Slates and located first in Chicago, but 
about a year later came to Madison County, where 
he worked as a farm hand for August Flag, re- 
ceiving from ^10 to 4^1.') per month for his serv- 
ices. Out of his wages he managed to save enough 
capital to purchase eighty acres of land on sec- 
tion 2;'), Moro Townsliip, for which he paid ^i 
per acre. Upon this he built a little fraiiu' house, 
which was cared for b^- his .sister for a year. He 
was then married, in .lune, IH.'JS, Miss Mar3- Wise- 
man becoming his wife. Siic was liorii in Ger- 
nianj', and has Ijcen a resident of Madison County 
since 18/);3. 

Mr. and Mi's. Engeike began their domestic life 
upon the little farm which he liiid purchased, and 
to its further cultivation and improvement he 
now untiringly devotes his energies. As bis finan- 
cial resources were iiicre;ised ''he cxlendeil the 
boundaries of his farm until it now com()rises 
three hundred and twenty acres. He also owns 
one hundred and sixty-six acres on sections 11 



and 12, Moro Township, and sixty acres of good 
timber land in Oniphghent Township. He is 
now one of the prosperous farmers of the coni- 
muuit}', his success being the just reward of his 
labors. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Engclke have been bom liiiee 
children, two sons and a daiigiiter: Fritz, who 
died at the age of tweiily-lhice; Mary, wife of 
Dr. Edward Engel, a prominent physician of I'rai- 
rie Town, whose sketch ippears on another page 
of this work; and Charlie, a well educated y'oung 
man, who now aids his father in business. Mr. 
Engeike votes with the Republican party and is 
a warm advocate of its principles. lU' was elected 
.Supervisor in 1 Sill, and so ably did he lill the 
ollice that on the expiraticni of his fust term, in 
I8'.)."5, he was re-elected. He has served as Assessor 
and Highway Commissioner for many years, and 
his public duties have ever been (liscliaiged with a 
promptness and fidelity that liave won hiiii the 
comniendation of all concerned. 



^. EV. AUGUST .SCIILEGEL. pastor of St. 
_^ IJoniface's Catholic Church of Edwards- 
.4i\V ville, was born in liadeii, (iermany, Au- 
^^ gust 30, 1851, and is a son of Fidel and 
Walburg (lieller) Schlcgel. His parents sjieiit 
tiieir entire lives in Europe. He aciiuired his clas- 
sical education in Constance, Baden, and In 1873 
came to the United States. He entered St. Francis 
Seminaiy, near Milwaukee, where for four years 
he studied ])hilosophy and theolog}-. On liie ex- 
piration of that period he went to liciieviilc, 111., 
where he w.as placed in charge of .St. I'eter's 
Church, now the Cathedral, under the jurisdiction 
of Itishop .lanssen. He there remained for eight 
niunths, after which he went to Flora. Clay Coun- 
ty, having charge of the church at that place for 
eight months. Later he was sent to St. I.iliory, 
St. Clair Couiily, 111., where the succeeding four 
months of his life were passed, after which he was 
transferred to Edwardsville and took charge of .St. 




HARDWEG H. I.TKKER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



211 



Mary's Cliuicli, of which he was pastor for six 
iiKinllis. He next received a call from the church 
in Mt. Carinel, being pastor of St. Mary's Church 
at that place for a year and a-half, when he re- 
turned to Edwardsville as the pastor of St. Bom- 
face's Churcii. 

This was iu .Januar}', 1881, and Father Sclilcgcl 
has since been in charge. It is now one of the 
loading and most pros[ierous churches of Madisou 
County. Tlie house of worship is a large and 
well constructed edifice, and they have a member- 
shi|) of one hundred and lifly families. Since his 
arrival here he has erected a Sisters' school build- 
ing. There are about one hundred and ten chil- 
dren in llie school, under charge of the Sisters of 
the Order of the Precious Blood. In connection 
with the church are several societies, including St. 
Boniface Benevolent .Society, with a membership 
of al)out sixty, and St. Joseph's Branch of Catho- 
lic Knigiits, with a membershij) of twenty-seven. 

Father Schlegel is a man of pleasing address, 
and readily makes friends. He is po[)ular with 
all classes of people, is liberal in his views, and is 
charitable. In politics he is a Republican, and 
warmly advocates the priucii)les of that party. 
Since taking charge of SI. Boniface's Church, he 
has greatly improved the house of worship, and 
put in a new altar and a new organ to the value 
of about * 10,000. 



Iff-, ARDWEG II. LUKKER, dealer in lumber, 
jj hardware and farm implements, and Super- 
intendent of the Kciser Brothers' elevator 
and grain business of Wordcn, was born 
in Westphalia, Germany, September 4, 1818. His 
parents, Goltleib and Sophia (Hagemeier) Lueker, 
were both natives of the same local it}^ and in 
1857 crossed the Atlantic to America. They made 
their way direct to .St. Louis, and thence came to 
Madison County, locating in Omphghent Town- 
ship, where the father purchased a farm of one 
hundred and thirty-two acres. This he cultivated 
6 



and iiniJioved until his death, which occurred in his 
sixty -sixth year. His wife has reached the ad- 
vanced age of seventy-two years. This worthy 
couple were liigbly r£spected people. 

Mr. Lueker of this sketch was the fifth in order 
of birth in the family of twelve children, and w.as 
a youth of nine summers when he came to Madi- 
son County, where he has since made his home. 
He has been prominently identilied with the busi- 
ness and public interests of this conimunit}', and 
is numbered among its valued citizens. He began 
his education in the district scluKils, and later at- 
tended the private schools of the Lutheran Church. 
Under the i)arenlal roof he remained until his 
marriage. 

In 1872 Ml. Lueker was united in marriage 
with Miss Caroline IJorinan, who was born in St. 
Louis and there spent the first fourteen years of her 
life. The young couple located on the old home- 
stead, where the3' resided until 1877, Mr. Lueker 
devoting his time and attention to agricultural 
l)ursuits with good success. In that year he was 
elected Superintendent of the Worden Coal Com- 
pany, which position he filled for nine consecutive 
years. He was then engaged by the Keiser Brothers' 
Elevator and Grain Company as their Superin- 
tendent, and is still serving in that capacity. In 
connection with II. C. Picker, who is represented 
elsewhere in this work, he established the lumber 
and hardware and farm imi>leraent store in 1884, 
and this is now in successful operation. He is also 
one of the stockholders and President of the 
AVorden Butter and Cheese INIanufacturing Com- 
pany, and along these various lines of trade is do- 
ing a good business. He is noted for his enter- 
prise, perseverance and sagacity, and whatever he 
undertakes he carries forward to a successful com- 
pletion. 

In his political views Mr. Lueker is a Democrat, 
and on that ticket was elected Supervisor of his 
township in 188.5, holding the otlice continuously 
until 18'J2. He was one of the fust School Di- 
rectors and a member of the first Village Board, 
and in that capacity served for inanj' years. He 
was also Town Trustee, and is now serving his 
second term as President of the Village Board. 
His name is inseparably connected with the com- 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RPX'ORD. 



mercial and official history of this community, 
and as one of the most prominent imd progressive 
citizens we present him to our readers. 



c=i 



-S) 



$+^ 



f^ - 



s- 



^s^EORGE F. WIEMERS, who follows a.uri- 
[|| £-— cultural pursuits on two liundred and 
^yi| twenty-six acres of land in Ft. Russell 
Township, was l)()rn near liis present fine estate 
May 24, I860, lie is tiie son of .lulin and Anna 
(Oatinan) Wicinors, natives of Prussia, who eini- 
"rated to Anieriea in 1^(12. They came direcUy 
west and located in St. Louis, Mo., where the fa- 
ther found enipl()\ inent as a cahinet-inaker in the 
shli) yards at *47 per month. 

In 1849 the father of our subject went to Cali- 
fornia via the Isthmus of Panama, the trip con- 
suming six months and four days. On arriving 
in the Golden State he entered the mines, work- 
ing there for four years, but being accidentally 
shot ill the eye, was rendered unlit for further 
service and returned home by way of the water 
route to New York. Thence he went to fSt. Louis 
and worked in a [ilaning mill from 1853 to 1859. 
In 1857 he purchased a quarter-section of land in 
this county, which he disposed of a year tiiere- 
aftcr to his father and became the proprietor of 
another tract on which lie moved in 1859. 

Only three members of tiie parental family are 
now living, viz.: our subject; William F., a law- 
3'er and a graduate of the Chicago Law School; 
and Anna T., of Alton. Tlic father of these chil- 
dren made his home in lliis count3- for a (juarter 
of a century, and then moved to Alton, where 
his decease took jilace May 17, 1892, at the age of 
sixty-eight years. Ilis wife also departed this 
life in that city when in lier fifty-eighth year. 

George F., of this sketch, was reared to farm 
pursuits on the olil homestead and remained under 
the parental roof until attaining his twenty-fifth 
3'ear. On his father's death he rentdl the old 
place, which included three hundred and fifty 
broad acres, aud which he cultivated for seven 



years. At the expiration of that time Mr. Wie- 
niers located upon his prc-sent estate, wliicli com- 
prises two hundred and twenty-six well culti- 
vated acres, upon which he has placetl all the im- 
provements, making it one of the finest homes in 
the county. 

The lady to whom our subject was niariicd 
August 8, 1888, was Miss Anna, daughter of F. 
AV. Sander, a native of Prussia. Her mother's 
maiden name was Louisa Prisz. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Wicmers has been born a sou, Oscar, whose birth 
occurred April 3, 189(1. 

In social affairs tlu' original of this sketch stands 
high in the order of Odd Fellows, belonging to 
Lodge N'o. 735 in Hethalto. He is a strong Dem- 
ocrat in politics and cast his fii^st vote for Cleve- 
land. The Lutheran Church finds in him one of 
its most active nicinbers, and to it^ support he is 
a liberal contributor. The communit}' recognizes 
ill him a substantial citizen, and of the high es- 
teem ill which he is held he is justly deserving. 



I < I i 1 i««^i«> 



r^DWARD SUPPIGER. Higliland has its 
1^ full quota of vigorous, enterprising, llior- 
I*- -'- ^ ough-goiiig young business men whose 



popularity is based upon their social qualities and 
their well known integrity and liusiness activity. 
None among these is better liked by those who 
have dealings with llicm than Mr. .Suppiger, who 
is a member of the boot an<l shoe linn of Suppiger 
liros. 

Our subject is the 3'oungest but one of four 
children born to the late David Suppiger, and was 
born on the old homestead just outside of the 
city of Highland, January 12, 1872. He was 
given a most excellent education, and carried on 
his primary studies in the schools of his native 
l)lace, after which he went to .Si. Louis and became 
a student in the Manual Training .School, from 
which he was graduated in 1891. He is also a line 
musician and one of the most brilliant pianists 
and violinists in the city. 

The same year in which he graduated from 
the school in St. Louis our subject and his brother 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



213 




Louis engaged in their prescMit business, and by 
tiicir iionorable and upright dealings with all 
have built up a large trade and ai'e classed 
among the most enterprising 30ung business meu 
(if Highland. In political sentiment he is a strong 
Democrat and by those who know him he is held 
in high regard. He is a member of the Turners' 
(Society in tliis place, and although j'oung in years 
lie lias won for himself a place among the most 
public-spirited citizens, to whom the welfare of the 
community is ever a matter of interest. For a 
more complete history of the iiarents the reader is 
referred to the sketch of his brother, Louis .Sup])i- 
ger, to be found on anotiier page of this volume. 



-^m>^<m^-^' 



HARLES SCHIP:TTINGER. In presenting 
an accurate account of the industries of 
Madison County and the progress made 
during tiie past decade in commercial importance, 
it would he impossible to omit mention of the 
furniture establishment owned and carried on ))y 
jMr. .Schiettinger. Since the death of his father, in 
18'J1, he has been the sole proprietor of the store, 
the success of which is largely attributable to his 
excellent management and sagacity. 

Born in Highland, of which he is now a [Momi- 
nent citizen, our subject first opened his eyes to 
the light May 9, 1863. His fatlier, George, was 
born in Wurtemberg, Germany, December 1, 1825, 
and died in Highland October 29, 1891, at the 
age of sixty-live ^cars, ten months and twenty- 
eight daj's. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and 
came to America at the age of twenty-seven years, 
settling in Highland, where he followed his trade. 
Many of the best residences of early days con- 
tained his handiwork. 

About 1859 George Schiettinger established a 
small cabinet slioi) and furniture store, and in- 
creased the business from time to time until 1887, 
when failing health compelled him to reliuciiiish 
active labor. From that time until his death the 
management of the establishment fell upon our 



subject, who later succeeded to the business. The 
mother, whose maiden name was Augusta Koch, 
was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and a 
member of a wealthy family of that kingdom. She 
still makes her home in Highland. She has three 
brothers living m this country, two near Highland 
and one in the west. 

The parental famil}' consisted of six children. 
August, now the most extensive merchant in 
Stillwater, Minn., went to Hastings, Minn., as a 
3'oung man with a Jew merchant, and having 
great confidence in his employer he did not draw 
his wages as they became due. One morning he 
went to the store to find it in the hands of the 
sheriff and the proprietor left for parts unknown, 
leaving his wife and children in destitute circum- 
stances, while August had but sixty cents. A por- 
tion of this he invested for bread, which he gave 
to the famil3- of his treacherous employer. He 
then started on foot for Stillwater and reached 
that place with but live cents. He soon found em- 
plo^'ment in a .Jew store, where his ability as a 
business man attracted the attention of A. T. 
Stewart & Co., of Chicago, who offered to furnish 
him the necessary funds if he wanted to go into 
liusiiioss. He accei)ted the offer and now is at the 
head of tlie largest store in .Stillwater, having a 
stock valued at ^80,000 and cmplo^-ing about 
thirt\' clerks. 

Paulina, our subject's oldest sister, is the wife 
of Emil Hermann, the head miller in the Highland 
Mills. Augusta is the wife of Frank L. Grace, a 
jeweler in Stillwater, Minn. George is foreman 
of a printing olfice in Stillwater, while the young- 
est brother, Berthold, is in the employ of August, 
in Stillvvater. Charles, of this sketch, received a 
good education in Highland, and in early life ac- 
quired considerable local prominence as a musician. 
After remaining with his brother in Stillwater for 
a short time, he became leader of the band in the 
great Forepaugh circus, and during his connection 
of five years with that show, he visited every 
town of importance in the United States. In 
1887 he resigned that position to assume the inan- 
agenicnt of his father's store. 

January 21, 1892, Mr. Schiettinger was united 
in marriage with Miss Louisa Conklin, who was 



214 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



born in New York Citj'. Her parents having died 
wlii'ii she was a child, she was reared b}- the 8up- 
pij^er family in Highland, with whom she remain- 
ed until her marriage. Tliey are the parents of 
one child, Helen. In politics Mr. Schiettinger 
supports the measures advocated by the Republi- 
can party. He inclines to the faith of the Uni- 
versal r'hristian Church, with which his father was 
identilicd, and to which his mother still belongs. 
Socially, he is a member of the Turners' and Sing- 
ing Societies. Though still on the sunny side of 
life, he has attained more than ordinary success 
and is numbered among the representative busi- 
ness men of Highland. 



ellARLES F. 1' 
Highland lies 
and attracti\ 



\^^' 



IIARLES F. KUHNEN. In the suburbs of 
ies one of the most comfortable 
ive homes of the city. Here 
Mr. Kulinen and his wife reside, surrounded by all 
the luxuries that wealth can bring. In addition 
to tills residence he is the owner of considerable 
valuable town propcrtj', as well as several farms, 
and his interests are varied and extensive. He 
has been a leading factor in man^' of the enter- 
prises connected with the develo[)ment of the ma- 
terial resources of tiie city, and has contributed 
largely' to its progress. 

Horn ill Highland May 2, 18l(i, our subject is 
the onl}' surviving son of Christian Kuhiieii. He 
had one brother, Robert, who died leaving one 
child. There were also live sisters, of wliom the 
only survivor is the wife of George Roth (re- 
ferred to ujjon another page). The father was 
born in Canton Heme, Switzerland, in 1811, and 
was the youngest of five brothers, two of whom 
emigrated to this country. When but fifteen 
Christian Kuhncn left his native land, and cross- 
ing the Atlantic, settled in Ohio, where lie worked 
as a journeyman carpenter until 1834. 

About that time Highland was iK'ing settled -by 
a colony from Switzerland, which induced Mr. 
Kuhnen to come hither and identify- liis fortunes 
with those of his countrymen. Here he found 



work at his trade, and many of the first houses in 
the place were built by hini. In 181.') lie. married 
Miss Anna Rucdy, a native of Switzerland. He 
continued to follow his trade until a few years 
ago, when, having accumulated ample means, he 
retired to private life. At present eighty years of 
age, he is still hale and hearty, and is numbered 
among the progressive citizens of Highland. He 
has deeded a farui to each of his surviving chil- 
dren, and still retains in his possession consider- 
able valuable farming propert}-, located principally 
in the vicinity of Higiiiand. He and his good 
wife, who is ten years his junior, have journeyed 
ak)ng side by side for nearly fifty years, sharing 
their joys and their sorrows, and now in old age 
the}' enjoy the comforts which they so well de- 
serve. 

In the schools of Highland and a private college 
at Oakfield, our subject enjoyed exceptional edu- 
cational advantages. His business career was com- 
menced at the age of seventeen, when he entered 
a general store as clerk. At nineteen ^x-ars he was 
the i)roprietor of a small hardware store, and in 
186'J he took into partnership his brother-in-law, 
George Roth. Six years later the connection was 
dissolved by mutual consent. In 1889 Mr. Kuh- 
nen was succeeded by his eldest son, Fremont C, 
and Fred Siegrist, who in 1892 incorporated the 
company and took into the firm two other sons of 
our subject, Louis O. and Adolph. 

January 30, 1868, Mr. Kuhnen married Miss 
Catherine Streiff, a native of Switzerland, and 
a daughter of Jacob Streiff, who is still living in 
his native land. Foursons have blessed the union. 
Fremont C, the eldest, and now at the head of the 
hardware house, married Miss Aline Zobrist, of 
Higliland, and the>' have one child, Ilga. He is a 
shrewd young business man, and is serving his 
second term as City Treasurer. Socially, lie is 
a Royal Arch Mason and Secretary of the lodge, 
al-so .Secretary of the Knights of Honor. Louis ()., 
the second son, married Miss Ida Litz, of High- 
land, in the spring of 1894. Ho and his younger 
brother, Adolph, are connected with the hardware 
house. The 3'oungest son, Charles F., Jr., is a I103' 
twelve years of age. 

Although not an aspirant for political honors, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



215 



Mr. Kulinen has served as City Treasurer and as a 
member of the City Council, and has iield various 
other local oHices. Sociallj^ he is a Royal Arch 
Mason, and for twenty-six years has been a mem- 
ber of the Turners' Society. He also belongs to 
the singing society. In religious connections he 
and his wife arc members of the United Lutheran 
Church. 



^'AMES JONES, a prosperous farmer in Ft. 
Russell Township, Madison County, of 
which place he is a native, was born July 
30, 1817. His parents, William and Eliza- 
beth (Finlay) Jones, were natives of Virginia, from 
which state they departed in 1800, going to Ten- 
nessee, where they made their home for six years, 
and then came to Illinois, locating first in Green- 
ville, Bond County. The father served during 
the Indian War as Captian of a company, render- 
ing much valuable service. He was by profession 
a preacher in the Baptist Church, his circuit cover- 
ing a lai'ge territory, and when en route from one 
charge to another always carried his musket. 

In 180G Mr. and Mrs. AVilliam Jones settled near 
the place where our subject is now living, "squat- 
ting" first, and wiien the land came into market, 
entered from the Government three hundred and 
twetit3- acres. On this they erected a small frame 
house, and continued to reside on that farm until 
their decease, the father being in his seventy-fourth 
year when that sad event occurred. Beside being 
a preacher he was a politician of considerable 
note, and during that early day was elected to the 
Legislature. Later his name was prominently 
brought before the people as candidate for Gov- 
ernor, but he refused to take any more active part 
in politics, preferring to devote his time and en- 
ergies to preaching the Gospel. 

James, of this sketch, is the only survivor of ten 
children born to his parents. His mother also 
died on the home farm when in her sixtieth year. 
He was reared on a farm in this then wild coun- 
try and remained at home until his marriage. 



P^ebruary 2, 184.3, with Miss Liicinda Rossan. Mrs. 
Jones was born in Brown County, this state, and 
at her decease, in 1853, left five children, of whom 
those living are Mar}^ A., John F. and Augustus. 

The lady whom our subject chose as his second 
companion, and to whom he was married June 5, 
18.57, was Mrs. Elizabeth File, widow of Daniel 
File. Of this union was born a daughter, Sarah, 
who is married and has seven children. The pres- 
ent wife of our subject was the daughter of Isaac 
and Catherine (Wanzel) Gum; the former was born 
in Virginia and his parents were natives of Greene 
County, Pa. Isaac Gum went in an early day 
with his wife to Indiana, and in 1838 located in 
Illinois, spending the rest of his days in Bond 
Count}'. Mrs. Jones was born in Indiana Janua- 
ry 11, 1825, and was one in a family of eighteen 
children, only three of whom now survive. The 
family is one of the oldest in the county, and this 
lady is now past her sixty-ninth year. Two chil- 
dren have been the i-esult of her union with our 
suljject. INIartha H., Ihe wife of Henry Weber, has 
two children, James W. and Hazel II.; and Harriet 
J., now Mrs. W. R. Reeves, also has a son and 
daughter, James O. and Vevie. 

For five years after his marriage Mr. Jones lived 
in a log cabin 16x18 feet in dimensions and work- 
ed hard to clear and place his propertj' under cul- 
tivation. In politics he is a Jacksonian Demo- 
crat, and is widely and favorably known in this 
county, where he has resided since his birth. His 
family are all members of the Baptist Church and 
are highly respected wherever known. 



^•••f^»i= 



-^■ 



'^/f, LBERT II. SCIIOTT. Among the young 
LJl and active business men of Highland is 




this gentleman, who is at present filling the 
position of Secretary and Treasurer of the 
Highland Brewing Company. He was born in this 
city in 1870, and received his education in its 
common schools and in the University of St. Louis. 
Later he went to Chicago, where he learned the 



2 1 ('. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



hrewere' business, which lino of work he has since 
followed. 

Our subject is :i son of Martin .1. St-liolt. ti native 
of Krankfort-t)n-tlio->Iain, Ocrmany; the latter is 
President of the above brewing company, with 
which he has been connected since 1856. The 
works were built in IS.'),') by his father. Gcrhart 
Schott, who was a native of Frankfort-on-the-Main. 
Some years ago our subject w.as made Secretary 
and Treasurer, which positions he still occupies; 
he is also master of the brewing department, 
having a full knowledge of the manufacture of 
beer. 

The Highland Brewing Company have an estab- 
lishment wliose capacity is tifteen thousand barrels 
per annum and is run at all times to its fullest ex- 
tent. It was incorporated in 1884 and is con- 
trolled by the Schott familj-, an older brother of 
our subject. Otto G., being Vice-President, and 
Kugene, his younger brother, holds the positioh 
of b(M)kkeeper. 

Mr. .Schott of this sketch is a Democrat in poli- 
tics and so votes when he goes to the polls. He 
is a member of the Knights of Honor socially, and 
as one of the rising j'oung men of the city there is 
no doubt but that he will be called upon in the fu- 
ture to fill at various times most of the otiices 
which lie within the gift of the people. 



E=l 



€^^ 



JAMES MONAGIIAN. who departed this life 
March i;5, 1894, w.as one of the sulistantial 
agriculturists of Kt)sterburgh Township, 
^^^^, where he owned a good and productive farm. 
He was born in Ireland in March, 1818, and re- 
mained in his native isle until attaining his fif- 
teenth year, when he crossed the Atlantic, locating 
first in Pottsville, Pa. lie attended the common 
schools prior to leaving home, and iK'ing a great 
reader, acfpiired considerable knowle<lge in that 
way. 

The father of our subject. .Tamos Monaghan. was 
a farmer in Ireland, and <lied when (|uite young. 



James is the only one of the f.imily who grew to 
mature .years. After the death of his parents he 
uiadc his home with an aunt until he came to 
America. Young James after locating in Pennsyl- 
vania entered the coal mines and was there em- 
ployed for a number of yeare. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in 1811 in 
Philadelphia, at which time he was united with Miss 
Adclia Norton, also a native of Ireland, who 
came to America with her uncle. Like our sub- 
ject, she too was deprived of the care of her par- 
ents when quite young, but had the good fortune 
to be taken into the home of relatives, by whom 
she was well educated. After his union Mr. Mon- 
aghan came west to Alton, this state, and shortly 
thereafter to Kostcrburgh Township; here he rented 
a small tract of land, on which he moved his fam- 
ily, while he worked in the coal mines. Soon, how- 
ever, he w.as enabled to purch.ose property of his 
own, on which he sunk a shaft and for a quarter of 
a century operated the land with good success. 
During that time he accumulated one hundred and 
tifly-one acres of coal land, which is still in the 
possession of the family. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
born five sons and three daughtei-s, of whom we 
make the following mention: William isa resident 
of Alton; Mary married John Mueller; Catherine 
is deceased; James is an engineer in the (Iillespic 
coal mines; Bridget married Thomas Green Barthol- 
omew; John makes his home in Alton; Thomas 
lives in Fosterburgli Township; and Joseph, the 
youngest, was killed in 1889 while crossing the 
railroad. The parents of these children were 
members of the Roman Catluilic Church. In pol- 
itics the father was a Democrat, and served several 
terms as Supervisor prior to the organization of the 
tt)wnsliip. 

James Monaghan departed this life March 13, 
1894, greatly mourned by a large circle of rela- 
tives and friends. His widow still survives and 
makes her home with her son Thomas. The latter 
w.as educated in the district schools, and when 
quite young entered llie coal mines on the home 
farm. He is a very prosjwrous and energetic 
young man and at the present time owns one hun- 
ilred and seventy-five .acres of fine farming land 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



217 



adjoining the old homestead. He was married in 
November, 1893, to Miss Mary, daugliter of Ed- 
ward Brown, and with his wife is a devoted mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church. In jiolitics he follows 
in the footsteps of ins honored fatlier and gives 
Ins allegiance to the Democratic party. 



^^r^«^(s:i^i^ 



]l^^ ON. WILLARD C. FLAGG. This gentle- 
^' man, who was one of tiie prominent and 
most influential citizens of Madison Coun- 
ty, departed this life in 1878. He was a 
native of this count}', and was born on the farm 
upon which his widow still resides September 
16, 1829. He was a son of Gresham and Jane 
Flagg, and the grandson of Ebenezer Flagg, wlio 
was Sergeant in the Twentieth Massachusetts Reg- 
iment during the Revolutionary War. After the 
close of that conflict he removed to Vermont, and 
was engaged in the practice of medicine until his 
decease, February 16, 1828. His wife, the grand- 
mothei of our subject, was Elizabeth (Cutting) 
Flagg, who reared a famil}' of eleven children and 
who dei)arted this life in Vermont when advanced 
in ye.irs. 

The father of the subject of this sketch was a 
native of the Green Mountain State, and was 
born in Orwell November 26, 1792. He was edu- 
cated in the district schools, and during the War 
of 1812 entered its ranks as a soldier and took 
part in the battle of Plattsburg. On the cessa- 
tion of hostilities he entered the civil engineers' 
oflice at Burlington, A"t., with the intention of fit- 
ting himself to become a surveyor, and in the win- 
ter of 1816-17 came west to Indiana. During the 
latter year he descended the Ohio River to its 
mouth in a flatboat and thence made his way by 
land to the 3'oung city of St. Louis, where he 
sought and obtained work. 

In 1818 the father of our subject came to Illi- 
nois and located on wild land in this countj-, 
where the remainder of his life was passed, his 
death occurring March 4, 1867. His wife prior 
to her marriage was .Lane Paddock. She was born 



in Vermont and died in this county, leaving a 
family of three children. In Vermont, she had 
previously married Barny Richmond, by whom she 
had two children, V. P. and Virginia. 

Willard C. attended the district school until 
1844, when he went to St. Louis and spent several 
winters following in prosecuting his studies in the 
good schools of that city. In 1850 he entered 
Yale College and was graduated therefrom with 
high honors four years later. He then returned 
to his native home, and though engaging in agri- 
cultural pursuits, was a regular contributor t<:) the 
columns of the leading magazines and periodicals 
of the day. 

In 1856, which jear was made memorable by the 
organization of the Republican party, Mr. Flagg 
at once became actively identified in the canvass 
for John C. Fremont, and in 1860 he gave his 
time and money toward the election of Abraham 
Lincoln. That year he published a great deal of 
campaign literature in pamphlet form, which in.a- 
terially aided in molding public sentiment in favor 
of the principles of his party. He is also the au- 
thor of several works of prominence, among 
which are "Local Self-Government" and "Colonial 
History' of Illinois." 

In 1860 Mr. Flagg w.as appointed a member of 
the State Central Committee, of which he was 
made Secretaiy, and two years later accepted the 
position of United States Collector of Internal 
Revenues for the Twelfth District. He resigned 
this office, however, in 1869 in order to take his 
seat in the State Senate, having been elected Rep- 
resentative in the fall of that year. 

The Hon. Mr. Flagg was thoroughly posted in 
horticulture, in which he took an active interest 
at all times, and prior to his death had acquired a 
national reputation in this field of labor. From 
1861 to 1869 he was Secretary of the State Horti- 
cultural Sdciety, of which he was elected President 
in 1870. He was also a member of various other 
societies in the state, all of which his eloquent pen 
had aided in their growth and progress. For sev- 
eral years previous to his death he was editorial 
correspondent for the Hearth and Home. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1856 was Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Bet- 



2 IS 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



sey L. (Brown) Smith, the former of whom was a 
native of ^'el•m(lllt; lie lucatcd in iiii onily day in 
Sflioiileiaft, Mic-li., wlicic iiis dpccasf orcuncd 
wiiiMi fiiity-fiiur yi'ai> of nifr. llis jiood wife wns 
Ixnn in Vermont and died at the age of thirty-six 
years. To Mr. and Mrs. Fla<,'y: lias l)een j;ranted 
a family of six cliilihon, of whom lliose living are, 
Isabel, Mary Wiliard, and Norman (i. The last- 
named nianaiit's llie esUit<' of liis honored father 
in l''l. Russell rownsliip, and the estate makes one 
of the handsomest country honu\s in Illinois. The 
name of Klairg is knosvn far and wide in this 
section, and it is a pleasure to thus (tlace before 
our readers this brief sketch of the life of one of 
it^ worthy representatives.* 



JOHN ZIMMKRSCIIIKD. who r.anks among 
the pronuncnl and substantial farmers of 
Madis<in County, is a native of Oermany. 
his birth .x'curring March 28, 1840. His 
parents, John \V. and Anna (Wust) Zimmei-sehied, 
were likewise born in the Katheiiand and made 
their home there until 1852, wlieu they crossed 
the Atlantic, setting sail from Liverpool. Fifty- 
three days later they landed in New Orleans and 
thence made their way up the Father of Watei-s to 
SL Louis, Mo., near which city the father rented 
a farm and w.as emi)loved in its opei'ation for 
three years. 

The next move of Mr. and Mrs. Zimmei-schied 
w.as to this comity, where they lived on a tract of 
land near ftLarine until their decease, the father dy- 
ing when in his seventy-sixth year, and the mother 
passing aw.ay at the age of eight}-. The jiaternal 
grandparents of our subject were Philip and Cath- 
arine Zimmerst'hied, while on his mother's side of 
the house he is descended from .Tacob and Cath- 
erine McReady. 

.lolin was the only child of his parents and was 
given a fair education. After the decease of his 
father he .superinteiiiled tlie operations of the 
home farm, of which he became the sole owner on 



the death of his mother. August 7, 18G2, he mar- 
ried Miss Anna Hoffman, whose birth occurred in 
.Swil/erland. When only two years of age Mrs. 
Zimmcrschied was brought to the I'nited St,ales b}' 
liet parents, who located in Highland, this countj'. 
They bore the names of .Jacob and Catherine Hoff- 
man, and their (h'ccase occurred at the respective 
ages of seventy-live an<l sixty-nine. Mis. Zim- 
nierscliied had two l)rolliers who fought as soldiers 
during the late war, one of wIkjiu met his death 
at the battle of Chiekamauga. 

Of the family of thirteen children born to our 
subject and his wife, nine are still living, namely: 
William, Henry, .h)hn, Fritz, Peter, Alber, Otis, 
Katie anil Penjamin. After his marriage Mr. Zim- 
niei-schied removed to Alhambra Township, where 
he w.as engaged .as an .agriculturist for two j'eare, 
and at the end of that time returned to the home 
farm, which comprised lifty-sevcn and one-half 
acres. He has been more than ordinarily success- 
ful in his chosen vocation, and lieing thoroughly 
fitted for farm life has am.a.ssed a handsome prop- 
erty and is now the proud possessor of two Imn- 
dred broad acres, which comprise as line a farm 
.as can be found within the limit* of this county. 
His estate, which is very beautiful, has been made 
more attractive by the erection thereon of a fine 
residence, set in the midst of a nicely kept lawn. 

In his political relations Mr. Zimmerschied has 
always been a stanch Republican, and cast his lii-st 
vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has l)een veiy 
prominent in local affairs and has filled the oftiees 
of Highway Commissioner, School Director and 
Trustee. With his family he is a valued meml)er 
of the Methodist Kiiiscopal Church and manifests 
a commendable interest in everything pertaining 
to the welfare of his townshii). 



•y^ T 



4^ 




ILKIN.SON BRYAN, who at his decease 
'' in 1873 was one of the influential farmers 



^ '^ of Ft. Ru.ssell Township, was born in 
Alexandria, ^'a.. in 1818. His parents were iier- 
naril and Mary (Moxle}') Bryan, the former a na- 



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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



221 



live of Ireland, and the latter of llie Old Do- 
minion, in vvliieli slate tliey both died. 

Wilkinson IJi van made the trij) to Illinois in 
I8G8, hnt previous to this time had been a prom- 
inent liinibor merchant in St. Louis, Mo. Locat- 
ing here, he purcha.sed a farm, which he placed 
under admirable tillage, and continued to reside 
upon it until his decease, March 17, 1873. The 
estate, which is one of the best in the township, 
is owned and managed by his son. 

The original of this sketch was married Decem- 
ber 2.'?, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of 
Martin and Elizabeth (Randall) Simpson, natives 
respectively of Ireland and Maryland. The mother 
departed this life while living in St. Louis, but 
her husband survived her many j'ears, p.assing 
away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bryan, 
when in his eighty-seventh year. Mr. and Mrs. 
Simi)Son reared a family of six children, only 
three of whom survive at the present writing. 

Of the ten children comprised in the family of 
our subject and his estimable wife, four are yet liv- 
ing and are named respectively: Martin S., Clara, 
Frank L. and Hairy W. The last-named .son is 
an enterprising young man and manages the home- 
stead. It is a good estate and under excellent 
tillage. The children of the family have all been 
given good educations, and received from theii' 
parents the training which has made of them use- 
ful citizens, worthy of all respect and honor. Mrs. 
Bryan, together with her sons and daughter, is a 
member in good standing of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. She is a true friend, a kind neigh- 
bor, and counts her associates among the best peo- 
ple of Madison County. 



■»«»>ap» l > I p h I 



YDERUS CLARK GILLIIAM, a retired 
farmer residing in Edwardsville, is a rep- 
resentative of one of Madison County's 
'^jjjEJlionfn'ed pifineer families. He traces his 
ancestry to Ireland, whence Thomas (iillham emi- 
grated to America about 1730 and Ijecamc the 
founder of the family* in this country, establishing 




his homo in the Old Dominion. The first member 
of the family to .settle in Illinois was .lames, the 
fourth son of Thom.as. Coming to this state dur- 
ing territoi'ial days in 1791, he w.as so greatly 
pleased with the country that he decided to remain 
here, and wrote to his brothers of the advantages 
offered by this section. 

In 1802, two brothers, .Tohn and William, came 
to Illinois and settled on section 19, townshiji 1, 
range 8, on the west bank of Cahokia Creek, in 
what is now Madison County. Their descendants 
have exercised great influence in the moral, educa- 
tional and .agricultural development of the county, 
and have always stood high .as citizens. Among 
the children of John Gillham w.-is Ryderus C, who 
w.as born near Charleston, S. C, June 13, 1783, 
and came to Illinois with his parents in 1802. Set- 
tling in Edwardsville Township, Madison County, 
he engaged in farming untd his death, which oc- 
curred at the old homestead November 29, 1846. 
As a farmer he had been successful, acquiring two 
hundred and thirty-two acres. Politically he ad- 
vocated Whig principles, and in religious lielief 
affiliated with the Methodist E|>iscopal Church. 
His wife died March 14, 1864, while on a visit to 
her daughter in Carlyle,and her body was brought 
near Edwardsville for interment. She also be- 
longed to the Methodist Church. 

Among the children of Ryderus C. and La Ru- 
hamah (Patterson) Gillham w.as R3'derus Clark, the 
subject of this sketch. He w.as born on the old 
homestead July 3, 1836, and is the youngest mem- 
ber of the family. His preliminary education was 
gained in the home schools and was supplemented 
by a year's course in McKendree College. Through- 
out life his occupation has been that of a farmer. 
He bought out the heirs to his father's lands and 
from time to time added to his property. His first 
purch.ase was made in 18,59, and he continued to 
add to the farm until he owned five hundred and 
sixty-four acres. Though he conducted general 
agricultural pursuits he made a specialty of raising 
grain. 

December 29, 18,'')8, Ryderus C. Gillham .and 
Miss Emily P. Springer were united in marri.age. 
Her parents, John and Elizabeth (Byrd) Springer, 
were of Swedish descent and came to Illinois about 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



1810; both died of cholera in 1849, passing away 
on the same day. Mr. and Mrs. (lillham are tlie 
parents of five cliildren, namely: ]'"annic, the wife 
of R. K. Pieree. of CrayviUc. 111., Charles E., 
who married I-yda Kendall niid has one child, 
Ruth; Kdwnrd L., wliosc union willi Mary Flaai!; 
h.-is resulted in the birth of one child; Willard C, 
who is living on the old homestead; Frederick C. 
and John K. (twins), the former at home and the 
latter a student in the Washington Law School of 
St. Louis. Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Pierce liave two 
children, Raymond C. and Tlicora. 

In .January, 18112, Mr. Oillham came toEdwards- 
ville, where he erected a fine residence upon a plat 
of five .acres in Aokland's Addition. Socially he is 
a member of Edwardsville Lodge No. 99, and Ed- 
wardsville Chapter No. 46, A. F. & A. M. His wife 
is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
The family of which he is a member luas always 
been stanch in allegiance to our Government. It 
was his dislike of the institution of slaverj' that 
led his grandfather to remove from a slave state 
and seek a home in the north. His father was also 
strongly ojiposed to slavery and was connected 
with the underground railroad of slavery d.ays. 
He himself has taken an active interest in public 
affairs and has sup[)orted the principles of the Re- 
luiblican party since General Fremont was a can- 
didate for the Presidency. 






OllN GOriT.OIi SCHULZE. Among the 
honored and respected citizens of this 



11 

dl county is the subject of this sketch, who is 
I engaged in cultivating two hundred and 
thirty-two acres of land in Ft. Russell Township. 
Like many of the best residents of this section, he 
came from Germany, having been born in the 
Province of .Saxon_v, August 5, 1827. 

The parents of our subject, John G. and .Johanna 
(.Stucckrodt) Schuize, were also born in the above 



province, and the father died there when in his 
sixty-second year. He served as a soldier in the 
German army, and was engagc<l in the war against 
Napoleon. The mother of our subject later came 
to the United States with her son J. (;., and de- 
parted this life at Ins home in this county when 
she was sixty-two years of .age. She rearctl a fam- 
ily of four children, two of whom are still living. 

John G., of this sketch, de<Mdod to try his for- 
tunes in the New World, and set sail fnnn ISrcmen 
in 1854 on the sailing-vessel "Minerva." He was 
five weeks in making the voyage, and after land- 
ing in Baltimore, remained in that city for a few 
days and then came direct to this county. The trip 
was made on one of the first trains which i-an over 
the Baltimore S: Ohio Road, which had just been 
completed that year. 

Mr. Schuize was married previous to leaving his 
native land, the lady of his choice being Miss 
Christiana Lingner, and the date thereof April 16, 
1852. Mrs. Schuize was born December 21,1821, 
near the home of our subject, and was the daugh- 
ter of Frederick and Minnie Lingner, who lived 
and died in their native pl.ace, at the respective 
ages of eightj- and seventy-six years. The wife of 
our subject w.as one in a family of nine children, 
six of whom still survive. 

Of the seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Schuize those living are, Minnie C, the wife of 
Gottlieb Dettmer; Augusta H., now Mrs. Henry 
Wiesmann; (^ottlob E., at home with his parents, 
and Mary L., now Mrs. Frederick Dettmer. The 
original of this sketch rented land for eleven 
years after his marriage, and the first property 
which came into his possession w.as ninety-nine 
awes, of which only fifteen were cleared. With 
much hard labor on his part and the encourage- 
ment and aid of his excellent wife he soon had his 
land in good condition, and bj' his industry and 
good management he was enabled to add to his 
pro|)erty until he is now the owner of two hun- 
dred and thirt3'-two .acres of land, which is under 
good tillage. 

Mr. Schuize has always taken an active interest 
in public affairs and for the past sixteen yeai-s has 
held the position of Highway Commissioner. He 
is a true blue Republican in politico, and cjust his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



223 



first vote for Abraliam Lincoln. IIo lias filled the 
otiice of School Trustee for many terms, which is 
sultieient testimony as to the satisfaction given. 
He is a member in good standing of the Lutheran 
Church and aids very materially towards its ad- 
vancement in this section. He commenced his 
career with but very little means, and b3' industri- 
ous and straightforward living has gained a hand- 
some competence, and is honored and respected in 
the community in which he resides. 



I I I r I I | l i > m 



\i|()IIN BROWN, actively engaged in farm 
pursuits in Fosterhurgli Township, claims 
the Emerald Isle .as his n.ative place. He 
was t)orn in County Limerick, in 1834, to 
Thomas and Mary (Franklin) I>rown, of whom the 
former was the son of Edward Brown. Both tlie 
father and grandfather were farmers and lessees of 
land in Ireland. 

The parental famil3' of our subject included 
three sons and two dauglitcrs, namol^': .John, of 
this sketch; Mar}', the wife of Thomas Delahanty; 
Ellen, now deceased,. as are also Edwin and William. 
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brown were devoted mem- 
bers of the Roman Catholic Church. John was 
educated in the common schools of his native 
place, and when quite young determined to try his 
fortunes in the New World. He landed in New 
York City with just a few dollars in his pocket, 
and after remaining there a short time made his 
way to Philadelphia, Pa., where he went to work 
by the month. 

Upon leaving the Quaker City young Brown 
found employment on farms in another ]iortion of 
the state, where he remained for a j'car and a-half, 
and <m his next removal we find him in St. Louis, 
Mo., and a short time thereafter in Alton, this 
state. Here he worked by the month for about 
seven years, and then, forming a partnership with 
his brother Edwin, who had accompanied him to 
the United States, rented a farm in Fosterburgh 
Township. Later they purchased seventy-two and 



one-half acres near the present home of our sub- 
ject, and upon leaving this became the owners of 
one hundred and fifty acres, on which ISIr. Brown 
still resides. The brothers continued to farm to- 
gether until the decease of Edwin, which took 
place in 1879. 

When our subject located upon his present fine 
estate it bore little resemblance to its now flourish- 
ing condition, being overgrown with trees and 
bushes, and not an acre was broken. By much hard 
labor the brothers cleared and cultivated it, mak- 
ing of it one of the most productive and beautiful 
estates in the township. 

Edwin Brown was married to Miss Mary Ryan, 
who on her decease left a family of five children, 
Thomas, Mary, Tr.acy, Nellie and AVilliam. Nellie 
is in a convent in Alton. Thomas is married and 
makes his home on the seventy-two acres of land 
which was the first purchase of the brothers in this 
count}'. The children have all been educated in 
the convent, and Mary and Tracy make their home 
with our subject. 

In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat. 
He has aided very materially in the upbuilding of 
this section, and for six years rendered valuable 
service on the School Board. He has never mar- 
ried, and since the time of coming to the count}-, 
he and his brother Edwin were most intimately 
associated in all business transactions, and his 
death was therefore a sad blow to him. 



1^+^P=- 



>*' II. SMITH was for many years prominently 
connected with the agricultural interests of 
Madison County, and the record of his life 
well deserves a pl.ace in this volume. He 
w.as born in Canada November 14, 1814, and is a 
son of Ira .and Philomelia Smith, who were proba- 
bly of Irish lineage. The father was born .July 8, 
178.5, and as early as 1800 became a resident of 
Canada, where he followed farming. He died 
April 22, 1820, when our subject was only five 
3'ear8 of age. 

J. H. Smith is the second in a family of five 



224 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RRCORD. 



chilclrcn. On his father's death he went to Ohio, 
mnking his home near Canton, whore iic attended 
tlio poininon schools until 18;?7, when he removed 
to Alton, and there worked at any honest cmploy- 
nuMit which would yield hitn a living. He served 
as rjnard at the prison for several years under INIr. 
Doi'sey, nnd then began farming in Aladison 
County as a partner of Nimrod Doreey. In im'.t 
he purchased a part of the farm on which Mrs. 
Smith now lives. It was then a tract of raw prai- 
rie, but he at once began to improve and cultivate 
it, placing upon it gofxl buildings, and in course 
of lime transformed the raw [)rairie into rich and 
fertile fields, which yield to him a good income. 

l\Ir. Smith was married .lanuary 31, 1850, to 
Elizabeth Smith, a native of Cumberland Count}', 
Pa., born March 21, 1831. Her grandfather, Ilugli 
Smith, was of Irish and Scotch descent. Her fa- 
ther, .Samuel Smith, was a native of the Keystone 
State, and in 181.3 emigrated to Madison County, 
Uiking up liis residence in Moro Township, where 
he entered land from the (iovernment and im- 
proved a farm, making it his home until liis death. 
He was well known as one of the founders of the 
I'resbyterian Church, in which he served as Elder. 
and was Justice of the Peace and School Director. 
His death f)ccurrpd in his sixtieth year. His wife, 
who bore the maiden name of Ruth Duncan, was 
also of Scotcli-Irish lineage and died in her fifty- 
fifth year. Her father was a Captain in the War 
of 1812. Mrs. Smith was tlie sixth in the family 
of ten children and was in her thirteenth year 
when she came to the west. Her cducatum was 
acquired in the schools of Pennsylvania and of 
Moro Township. 

Ten children were born to our subject and his 
wife: Sarah, Edgar and Willard, all now deceased; 
Joseph, a prominent farmer of Moro Township; 
Lctitia, at home; Ella, wife of J. W. Mitcliell, of 
Alton; Lulu, wife of (ieorge Cowdre^', of Colorado; 
and Arthur, Laura and Charles, who are still with 
their mother. 

In his political views Mr. Smith was a Repub- 
lican and held the ollice of School Director. He 
served as Elder in the Presbyterian Church and 
took a very prominent i)art in church work, do- 
ing all in his i>ower to uplift humanity. His 



life was an honoral)lc and upright one. He was 
well known throughout the county, and his ster- 
ling worth and strict integrity won him the high 
regard of all with whom he was brought in con- 
tact. He was called to the home bej'ond Novem- 
ber 17. 1882. His wife still resides on the old 
lK)mestead, which comprises one bundled and 
thirty-seven acres of rich and valuable laud and 
which is now operated liy the sons. Mrs. Sinit-li is 
a member of the Presbyleriaii Church and is a 
most estiin.'ililc lady, who delight-s in doing good, 
as did her husban<l. 



(^ 



^^ 



& 



-^') 



\^' 



=^ 



re 



HARLES FRED BALLWEG, Postm.aster of 
Edwardsville, is a native of the neighbor- 



ing state of Indiana. He w.as born in Sey- 
mour, December 6, 1863, and is a son of Joseph 
and Catherine (Trageser) Ballweg. His father was 
born in Haden, (icrmany, April 2, 1822, and on 
emigrating to America, located in Adams County, 
Pa., where he worked at his trade of shoemaking. 
He also followed that business after his removal 
to Indiana. In 1807 he came to Edwardsville, 
where he spent his remaining days, his death oc- 
curring December 7, 1893. His wife was a n.a- 
tivc of llesse-Cassel, Germany, and they were 
married in Oxford, Pa. She was called to the 
home beyond February 23, 1883. In his political 
views Mr. Hallweg was a supporter of the Democ- 
racy, and both he and his wife were Catholics. 
Their family numbered eight children: Edward; 
Charles F., of this sketch; Joseph, who died in 
18C(); August; John, who died June 1, 1879; 
Katie, Emma and Frank. 

With his father, Mr. Hallweg of this sketc^h 
learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed 
until eighteen years of age. In the si)ring of 
. 1883 he embarked in merchandising in Litchlield, 
111., and carried on operations along that line 
until July, 1889, when he came to Edwardsville, 
and opened a shoe store on Main Street. This he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



225 



successfully conducted until 1894, when lie sold 
out Ills Inisiness to take charge of the Postofiice. 

Mr. Ballweg was appointed Postmaster by Presi- 
dent Cleveland January 20, 1894, and is now 
filling that position with credit to himself and 
satisfaction to his constituents. In the spring of 
1891 lie vvas elected City Treasurer for a term of 
two years. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, 
warmly advocates the principles of that party and 
docs all in his power to promote its growth and 
insure its success. He frequently serves as a del- 
egate to its conventions. He belongs to the Cath- 
olic Church, and is a nieniber of the Catholic 
Knights of Illinois. The Edwardsville postofflce 
is a third class olHce and its gross receipts are 
about $5,000 annually. Mr. Ballweg was strongly 
endorsed for the position by representative men 
of his party. He attends strictly to his official 
duties, and is proving a popular and capable 
Postmaster. 



\§L 



siCm 



.._®i 



•5••5••5••5••5••^•^•5••5••^•^•j•+++^• 



y»JJ.LlAftl A. Ij. 
I his decease w 
^^^ and [irogressi 



7^ 



ILLIAM A. LANTERMAN, who prior to 
as one of the enterprising 
re farmers of Ft. Russell 
Township, was also an old |)ioneer of this county. 
He was a Kentuckian by birth, and was born No- 
vember 26, 1815, in Fleming Count}-. He was of 
German ancestry, and vvas the son of Daniel A. 
Lanterman, whoso birth occurred in Penns3lvania, 
whence he later removed to the Blue Grass .Stale, 
remaining there until about 1818'. 

In the above year our subject's father brought 
his famil}' to Illinois, and made his home for a yeav 
in St. Clair County, wlien he came to this section 
and commenced farming. He taugiit several terms 
of winter school after coining hither, and was one 
of the very earliest teachers in what is now Ft. 
Russell. Mr. Lanterman was engaged in farm 
[lursuits and lived a quiet life until his death, 
which took place in 1865. The maiden name of 
our subject's mother was Sarah Luman; she was 



born in Kentucky, and de|iarted this life in 1849, 
leaving two sons, William A., of this sketch, and 
Peter, who is also deceased. 

Daniel A. Lanterman married for his second 
wife Mrs. Elizabeth, daughter of John Irwin. Her 
death took place October 4, 1874, and she left one 
daughter, Elizabeth. The original of this sketch 
was a lad of four }ears when his father came to 
Illinois, and he was therefore leared to mature 
years in Madison County. His education was 
limited to the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood, and he lemained at home assisting his father 
in the farm work until attaining his twenty-third 
year. He then moved on a forty-acre tract of land 
on section 16, which he im[)roved, and later added 
to the amount until he became recognized as one 
of the substantial farmers of the township. 

January .3, 1839, William A. Lanterman was 
married to Miss Eliza Luman, a native of Lewis 
County, Kj'., and the daughter of John and P0II3' 
Luman, who emigrated from that state to Illinois 
in 1838. To our subject and his wife there were 
born ten children, six of whom are living, namely: 
Polly Ann, novv Mrs. William A. Smith, of this 
county; Melinda, the wife of S. B. Waples, a 
farmer in Montgomery County, this state; Harriet, 
now Mrs. A. C. Drennan, who resides in Macoupin 
County; William H., who married Jennie Russell; 
Edward A., who married Lizzie M. Belk, and John 
B. The youngest son was married December 4, 
1890, to Miss Allie G. Scott, whose birth occurred 
April 14, 1872, in Montgomeiy Count}', this slate. 
They have a son, Paul W., who was born August 
20, 1893. Mrs. John Lanterman is the daughter 
of James W. and Sarah E. (Ridenour) Scott, na- 
tives of Ohio, who came to Illinois in 1869, and 
are now making their home in Montgomery 
County. 

Our subject was a devoted member of the Pres- 
byterian Church, to which denomination his wife 
also belongs. On the organization of the Repub- 
lican party he joined its ranks and was ever an 
active supporter of its principles. He was very 
[lopular ill his township, and for sixteen years was 
.lustice of the Peace, and was the lirst Township 
Collector. During the long years of his residence 
in IMadison County he sustained the reputation of 



226 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



being an upright man, good neighbor and iiuncsl 
citizen. His yoiinge.sl son, .John, lives iijiun liie 
old honieslead, wliieh comprises two Imndrcd acres 
of the finest farming land in Ft. Russell Township. 



i^ < ^ <i <i < « < ■ 



^lr=>\OHKRT KELSKY. The compendium of 
jLj^ biographical skelclies of Madison County 
^\\\ would be imcoiiiplete without an outline of 
le life of the above gentleman, who is one 
of the wealthiest and laigcst land owners within 
its bounds, lie was born .Se|)tember 1, 1824, in 
Lincolnshire, England, which was also the birth- 
|)lace of his parents, Robert and Mary Kelscj'. The 
latter came to the I'nited States in 1836, and 
making their way directly to this state made their 
home for a time near where our subject is now lo- 
cated. Later they removed to Quincy, where the 
father died, and his good wife then returning to 
this county, made it her home until her decease. 

Robert, of this sketch, had four brothers and a 
sister, but is the only one of the family now liv- 
ing. After the death of his parents lie went to 
Alton, where he found employment in a soap fac- 
tory during the summer months and was engaged 
in the slaughter house in the winter season. He 
was only fifteen years of age when he thus began 
the struggle of life, and remained in the above 
place thus employed for thirteen years. While 
there, April 13, 1818, he was married to Miss Mary 
Ilandsacker, who was also born in England. 

Mrs. Kelsey, who is now deceased, was the 
daughter of Thoin.as and Mary Ilandsacker, and bj' 
her union with our sul)ject became the mother of 
six children, of whom only oneson, J. E.. survives. 
Our subject made his home in Alton for seven 
years after his marriage, and then coming to Mad- 
ison County, purchased one hundred acres of land, 
which is now included in his present line estate 
and on which stood a little frame house. The 
old saying that "industry brings sure reward as 
surely as does virtue," is proven in his life, for he 
began at the Ijottoiii of the ladder of fortune and 
is now regarded as one of the financial pillars of 



Madison County. His line esUite of twelve hun- 
dred acres is the site of ati elegant brick resi<leiKe, 
which is one of the finest dwellings in Ft. Russell 
Township. He always votes the Republican ticket 
and is one of the stanch advocates of its piiiici- 
ples. With his family he is a devoted member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Chiiich, which organiza- 
tion he has aided very materially in lliis township. 
James F. Kelsey, the son of our sul)ject, was 
given a good education in the scIkjoIs of Alton 
and is now the manager of his fiither's vast prop- 
erly. He was born August 22, 1 8^)8, and was mar- 
ried August 28, 1889, to Miss Jennie I'zzell, a 
daughter of (ieorge and Mary ( Itilyeu) I'zy.ell. 
Of this union have been born two daughters, Mary 
E. and Gertrude E. The eldest daughter of our 
subject, who is now deceased, was Annie E.; she 
was born September 11, ISSljaiid was married in 
1877 to John O. Cooper. She died in 1881, leav- 
inji ason, Harrv M. 



9^P 




ROF. CHARLES L. DIETZ. This gentle- 
man is one of the prominent men of 
Highland and occupies the responsible 
position of l'rinci[)al of the ]>iiblic schools. 
He is a native of this county and was born at Ma- 
rine May 18, 1861. His father, George Dietz, was 
a native of Germany and was horn in \s;]-2 on the 
banks of the River Rhine. 

Wheiiaboj'of sixteen years the elder Mr. Dietz 
came to America alone and without means. He 
applied himself to learn the cabinet-maker's and 
wood-carver's trades, which he followed in Cleve- 
land, Ohio, until 1854. That year found him in 
this county, and locating in Marine, there carried 
on his trade until September, 18'J1, when he de- 
parted this life. He was a man possessed of more 
than average education and was a great reader. 
He was quiet and retiring in disposition and one 
of the best informed men in his locality. 

The mother of our subject, who prior to her 
marriage was Miss Julia Doerner, was Ijorn on u 
farm in Jefferson County, Mo., and since the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



227 



death of her husband makes her home with her 
married daughter in Marine. Our subject was the 
only son of his parents, but he liad two sisters, 
Matilda, who for many years was a teacher in the 
public schools and who is now living in Marine, 
and Louisa, now the wife of Oscar Gehrs, a well- 
to-do merchant in the above place. 

Charles L. Dietz grew to mature years in his 
native village and in earl}' life applied himself 
closely to his books, having inherited that trait 
fiom his honored father. He attended the com- 
mon schools, but as he was of a studious and am- 
bitious disiiosition, was notsatisfied with a limited 
fund of information and received instruction from 
a private tutor, in the meantime working and pay- 
ing his own way. When twenty years of age he 
obtained a certificate to teach a country school, 
which he did for two years, and then in 1883 was 
given the position of assistant teacher in the 
Highland schools. This office he UUed for three 
years, and since 1886 has been Principal. He has 
done much Uj ])romote the standard of scholar- 
ship in the city, and it is largely through his efforts 
that the schools in this place head the list of the 
best institutions of learning in Madison County. 
He enjoys the full confidence of the people and 
their hearty co-operation in all his undertakings. 

Professor Dietz was united in marriage October 
18, 1887, with Miss Minnie Wehrli, a native of 
this city, and to them has been born a son, Osmar 
II., a bright child of five summers. In social af- 
fairs the Professor is a member of the Ancient 
Order of United Workmen, and in politics is not 
tied to any party, but is independent and liberal 
in his views. 



•$•=♦=•{• 



=*^* 



jp>\^OBERT IIAGNAUP:R, the efficient and (loi)- 
\^( nlar Circuit Clerk of Bladison County, now 
residing in Edwardsville, was born Feb- 
jlruary 11, 1848, near Highland, 111., and is 
a son of William and .loliaiina (!^np[)iger) Ilag- 
nauer. His father was born in Canton Argaw, 



Switzerland, in 1800, and emigrated to the United 
States in 1833, locating near Highland, III., where 
he purchased a farm. He continued its cultivation 
until 1862, when he removed to Sebastopol, Madi- 
son Count}', where he engaged in general mer- 
chandising until 1874. In that year he sold out 
and removed to Highland, where his death occur- 
red in October, 1888. He was a Democrat in 
politics and in religious belief was a Lutheran. 
His wife was also a native of Switzerland, born in 
1810, and her death occurred in 1878. They were 
married in 1836, and became the parents of nine 
children, five of whom are yet living: Mary, now 
the widow of Robert Suppiger,who was a resident of 
Centralia, 111.; William, who is living at St. Morgan, 
this count}', on the old homestead; Charles G., a 
dealer in hardware in Highland, 111.; Robert, of 
this sketch; and Emil, a farmer living north of 
Highland. 

Our subject remained on his father's farm until 
fourteen years of age and then went to Seb.astopol 
with his ])arents, where he became familiar with 
commercial pursuits while clerking in his father's 
store. During this time he was also educated in 
the district schools and afterward attended a busi- 
ness college in Normal, McLean County, 111. In 
1872, when twenty-four years of age, he entered 
public life, having been elected Justice of the 
Peace of Sebastopol, which position he filled for 
four years. During this time he located at High- 
land and eng.aged in the butchering l)usincss, which 
he continued for two years. He then sold out and 
began dealing in hardware in connection with 
George Roth, his time being thus p.assed until 
1884, when he was nominated by the Democratic 
party and elected Circuit Clerk. He entered upon 
the duties of the ollice in December, and removed 
to Edwardsville, purchasing the Phillips residence, 
which has since been his home. In 1888 he was 
again elected to the same ofiicc, although the 
county went Republican. In 1892 he was re- 
elected by a large majority, running two hundred 
ahead of his ticket. This f.ict indicates his per- 
sonal popularity and is a high testimonial of the 
promptness and fidelity with which he h.as dis- 
charged his public duties, thereby winning the 
confidence and trust of his fellow-townsmen. 



228 



POKTKAIT AND lUOCKAIMIICAL KKCOHl). 



WliiU' ill Iliglilniul hi' was also elected for tbice 
suiressive lertiis :is Town CViUcclor. 

Mr. II:i<;ii:iuer w:is iiiariicd in thai city in Uclo- 
U'r, I.S72, U> Miss IClisa, (Iaii>,'liU'r of Dr. Abra- 
ham ami Cathfiiiii' I'VidiT. Eight ciiildren were 
liori) ot Ihi'ir iiiiiiiii, uanii'ly: Nelson, Kdwaril, 
llaniiali, Leo, Klla, Kohoil, Milgfi and llilboil. All 
are yet living with the cxceiitioii of llilger, who 
died at the age of three months. The parents arc 
hoth nienilieis of the Lutheran Church and are 
higliiy respected citizens of the couiiiiunil^'. 

Mr. Ilajjuaiier is a mcniher of the Knights of 
1'ylliia.s, the Knights of Honor and the Modem 
Woodmen of America, and lias i)assed all the 
chairs in the second named. lie has always taken 
an active pari in politics and has served as a dele- 
gate to various conventions. lie has made a very 
popular Clerk, discharging his duties with lidelity 
and clliciency, and has the conlidencc and esteem 
of the people. 

->♦<- 

LAUKNCE C. C0RI5KTT, D. D. S., of Ed- 
wardsville, is a native of the (ireen Moun- 
'<!.' tain Slate, lie was born August 25, 1859, 
in Guilford, Windham County, and is a son of 
Moses and Hcl^y (Carpenter) Corbett. The family 
comes from the old I'urilan stock which crossed 
the Atlantic in Colonial days. l$oth parents were 
natives of Windham County, and the father was a 
farmer by occupation. Heinovingto Massachusetts, 
he spent his last days at Bernardston, where he 
died April 10, 1893, at the age of eighty-one. In 
politics he was a Republican. His wife passed 
away at the home in Vermont, .January 1, 1875, at 
the age of lifty-livc. She was a member of the 
Mclhodist Kpisct)pal Church. In their family were 
the following children: ]>i/./.ic, wife of S. P. Sherwin, 
of llrattlcboro, A' t.; Theresa, wife of H. C. Ingram, 
of West .S|)riiiglicld, Mass.; Hon. Myron L., a 
farmer and ex-Member of the Legislature of Massa- 
ehnsetts; ■lerome, of Hrattleboro, Vt.; .lennie, wife 
of W. W. Ihadbeer, of New York City; Dr. A. A., 
:i dentist, now deccjised; Clarence C; Lcroy, of 
Biatlleboro; and Myrtle M., of West Springlield, 
Mxss. 

Our subject attended the common schools and 




Powers Institute, at Bernardston, Mass., where he 

remained until nineteen years of age, when he en- 
tered the t)liio College of Dental Surgery- at Cin- 
cinnati, from which place he was graduated in 
March, 1881. Hi' llicn piacUciil his profession 
there until 1883, wlu'ii he came to Edwardsvillc, 
where he has since been established in business. He 
is thoroughly ({ualified to pcrfoi in all kinds of 
dental work and has established a ropulatioii for 
skill and prolicicncy. 

Dr. Corbett, on the 1 llli of November, 188G, in 
Edwardsvillc, was married to Mary K., daughter 
of Richard 15. and UriUaiiia H. (lirown ) (!rouud, 
early settlers of Madison Coiiiily. Ibi iiiotlier 
was the only daughter of .ludge William T. and 
Elizabeth M. (Little) Brown. Her father was a 
son of David and Mary V. (Jround, who came 
from England to America in 1818 and located in 
Mailisoii County, svhcre he lived until his death, in 
18G8. He ma<le the journey by way tif New Or- 
leans and the Mississippi River, and w.as a passen- 
ger on the first boat that came to St. Louis. He 
and his family were iiiembers of the Episcopal 
Church. They have two cliihlren. I loi ti'iise and 
Clifton Sherwin. 

Judge William T. Brown, the grandfather of 
Mrs. Corliett, was a familiar liguie throughout 
southern Illinois for half a century. He w.as 
born in Oneida (\)unty, N. Y., April 28, 1817, and 
was the second child of Dr. Erastus and Britania 
(Eastoii) Brown, who were of English descent. In 
1818 Uic parents emigrated with their family to 
Upper Alton, Madison County, where the Doctor 
engaged in practice, winning distinction for his 
skill and ability, and doing an extensive business. 
He was a man of unimpeach.able iiilegrity and was 
one of the original Commissioners who located the 
Hlinois and Michigan Canal. He died in 1832. 



►>+<—- 




AM. ALBERT C. nXIIORN 
Cfunposc the lirm of Tuxhoni Bros., lead- 
J) ing hardware dealers of Edwardsvillc. The 
business was established by Charles II. Tuxhorn, 
the father, in 1852, and the (inn of Tuxhorn 
Bros, began o|)erations in 1885. The first place 




COIJ"MI!l"S C. HICKI.HY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



231 



of business was where the Masonic Hall now stands, 
and tiie sturo was niovcd to its present location in 
the Opera House Kloek m 1887. The nieiiibers of 
the lirm are widely known in this section of the 
state as house furnishers. The}' carr^' a general 
line of hardware, stoves, agricultural implements, 
furniture and saddlery and harness goods. Thej' 
also niaiuifaeture anything in the sheet metal line, 
and do a large business in putting in steam and 
hot water heating plants in buildings. Tliey also 
carry a large line of vcliieles of every description. 
The wareroomsof the Tuxhorn Bros, are 50x150 
feet. Their surplus Stock is stored in two ad- 
(iitional warerooms in the rear of the main build- 
ing. Their trade extends throughout the count}', 
and is rapidl.y increasing from ^-ear to year. In 
their steam heating department they are doing a 
good business, and have put in anuml>cr of plants 
in different [ilaces in central and southern Illinois, 
and in St. Louis. This lirm has not only built up 
a huge and iirolitable trade, but has also established 
a reputation for integrity and fair and liberal 
dealing, and its members have won the conlidence 
of all with whom business or social relations have 
brought them in contact. 



[S_ 



S" 



=) 



^+^ 



OLUMBUS C. BUCKLKY, who is living in 
retirement on his beautiful estate in I'in 
"^^^y Oak T(jwnshi|i, is a native of Kentucky and 
was born in Hoi)kiiis County, April 14, 183G. He 
is the s(jii of .John I^. and Elizabeth (Ezelle) Buck- 
ley, natives of the Blue Grass State, who came to 
Illinois about 1841. Settling in this county, they 
rented land for a time and then purchased prop- 
erty on which they resided until their decease, the 
father d^'ing when in his lifty-sixth year, and the 
mother [lassing away at the age of fifty-three 3'ears. 
Our subject's grandfather, William Buckley, was 
a Baptist preacher near the Illinois line in Ken- 
luek}'. 

Columbus C, of this sketch, was the eldest in a 
family of nbie children, of whom livesonsaud two 
7 



daughters are still living. He lived at home until 
nineteen years of age, after which he served a 
three years' apprenticeship at the blacksmith's 
trade. The three years following he was emi)loycd 
as a journeyman throughout Marine Township, 
and in 1858 started a shopat Saline. Nine months 
later, however, he removed to Alhambra Town- 
sliii), where he remained until 18G2, meantime 
meeting with fair success at his trade. 

April 18, 1860, C. C. Buckley w.is united in 
marriage with Miss Sarah J. West, who was born 
in this lounty and died in Edwardsville at the age 
of thirty-eight j-ears. She left at her decease three 
children, Fannie, Lulu and Georgia. Three died 
in infancy. Our subject chose for his second 
companion Miss Rebeccu Hamilton, a native of 
Madison County, and the ceremony which made 
them one was perf(jrmed .January 3, 1878. This 
lady died Ma}' 22, 1893, after having become the 
mother of a son, Leland II., who w.as born in Ed- 
wardsville in 1879, and is now attending school. 

The second wife of our subject was the daugh- 
ter of Ebenezer and Rebecca (I5oyd) Hamilton, of 
Scotch and Irish descent. Her ancestors were 
favorably known in their respective communities 
as uitright, honest and progressive citizens. Eben- 
ezer Hamilton emigrated from Scotland to Phila- 
delphia, where he was married April 30, 1832. 
Soon after that event he and his wife journeyed 
overlaiul to this county, where they |)urchased a 
gotxlly amount of land and lived until their de- 
cease, the father dying .January 10, 1876, and the 
mother March 20, 1877. Mrs. Buckley had four 
brothers and sisters, of whom two are yet living. 

DurJng the Civil War, Mr. Buckley served as a 
soldier in the Union array, enlisting August 12, 
1862, in Company G, One Hundred .and Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, commanded l)y Capl. Cur- 
tis Blakcman. On account of disability, he was 
transferred in 1864 to the Fifteenth Veteran Re- 
serve Corps, and was mustered out at Cairo, this 
state, July 15, 1865. In 1864 he was on detached 
.service at Memphis, Tenn., at which place he was 
also con lined in the hospital for six weeks, being 
alllicted with both measles and small-pox. So re- 
duced was he by sickness, that at the time of re- 
turning home he weighed only ninety-six pounds. 



232 



POKTKAIT AND BIOGKAPllICAL RECORD. 



As a partial compensation for liis services and suf- 
ferings lie receives a pension from tiie Govern- 
ment. C'onipiiny (1, of tiie One Hundred and Sev- 
enteentii Illinois Infantry bore an honorable part 
in many a liard fought conllict. and covered them- 
selves witli glory for intrepid courage. During 
their term of service tliey traveled eight hundred 
and t\ve!ity-four miles by railroad, sixty-eight 
luindri'd and sixty-eight miles l)y river, and 
marched twenty-two hundred and fifty miles. The 
company was mustered into the service in 1862 
with ninety-nine members, and was mustered out 
in 1865 with forty. 

After the close of the coiitlid, Mr. Uuckley set- 
tled in Kdwardsville, wliere he carried on a black- 
smith shop until he was obliged to sell on account 
of having been crippled. His next enterprise was 
as the proprietor of a grocery store, which he con- 
ducted for one year. Later he bought his pres- 
ent farm, which was tlien in a primeval condition, 
bearing no im|)rovements whatever. It was only 
after great exertion and ceaseless economy that he 
was enabled to improve this place. He is now the 
owner of a <iuarter-section of land in Pin Oak 
Township, which he rents. 

Socially Mr. Uuckley is a member of Lodge No. 
99, A. F. & A. M., in Kdwardsville, and in 1859 
was made a member of Lodge No. 355 of the same 
order at Marine. He is connected with the Grand 
Army post of the former place, and with his fam- 
ily is a regular attendant at the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. .\t the i)resent time he is serving his 
third term as .Justice of the Peace of Pin Oak 
Township. In his beautiful country home he is 
now living in the enjoyment of the good things 
of this life, free from the hard work and worry of 
earlier years. 

\f? OUIS KARGES, a retired merchant of St. 
I ^ Jacob, is a native of (iermany, where his 
IlLM, birth occurred March 15, 182'J. In 1854 
he came to this country. He spent one year at 
Covington, K\-., and then decided to locate in Col- 
umbia, Monroe County, this state. During the 
Civil War our subject had a small store iu St. Clair 



County, where ho was successful. Soon after the 
close of that terrible conllict he came to Troy, in 
this count}', and engaged for seven years in the 
mercantile business. 

In 1871 Mr. Karges located in this city, and wjis 
engaged in an extensive mercantile business until 
tlie year 1892, at which time he sold out and re- 
tired from the more arduous duties of life, lie 
possesses a fine farm in St. Jacob Township, whicli 
comprises eighty acres, and his elegant hoiiu; near 
the village is located on a tract of seventeen 
.icres, besides he owns some valualile pro|)crty 
in Edwardsville. Politically our suliject w.as on 
the side of the Republican party until Cleve- 
land's first election, and li.is filled many olliccs of 
honor and trust, yet has never aspired to p<jlitical 
prominence. For many years he held the ollices 
of School Director and Trustee, and since his re- 
tirement was induced to accept the ollice of Justice 
of the Peace, which ])osition he lilled with credit 
to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. 

In the year 1880 Mr. Karges made an exten- 
sive tri]) througii Europe, and while there vis- 
ited his father and other relatives in his birth- 
pl.ice. He is a shrewd and far seeing l>usiness 
man, and has the conlidence of all who know him. 
Socially he belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fel- 
lows' societies, and the lodge of the latter order 
meets in one of his buildings, and in it he has 
been a Trustee foi- many years. 

The marri.age of our subject with Miss .loliane 
Karges took place in April, 1851, in Schernlierg 
(fursth schw. Sondershausen), and the young cou- 
ple came on their wedding tri|) to this county. 
To them was born a family of seven children, of 
whom the record is .as follows: Fritz, the eldest 
son, is single and lives on his father's farm; Anna 
is the wife of Fred Spies, who is a blacksmith in 
St. Jacob; Minnie married Guss Heisel, of the firm 
of Pike ife Heisel, who succeeded Mr. Karges in 
the mercantile business. Gust was educated at 
Ann Arbor, Mich., and as an attorney was located 
at Kansas City, where he became one of the most 
prominent young attorneys in tlie |)lace. His elo- 
quence always drew large crowds to the court 
house whenever ho had a case, but with all his 
bright prospects he was suddenly taken away in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



233 



June of 1891, lesiving a young wife. .Jennie is 
tlie wife of R. Buscli, and is also making her home 
on her father's estate. Lulu is an accomplished 
musician and an expert on the piano; she teaches 
music and lives with her i)arents. The >'oungest 
child, Emma, is also quite a musician, and a good 
housekeeper at home. Mr. and Mrs. Karges take 
much pleasure in their [ileasant home, and com- 
mand the high esteem and conlideuce of the en- 
tire community. 



^] AMES O'NEIL. now practically retired from 
the active duties of daily business, and en- 
joying the fruits of a successful career as 
an agriculturist and stock-raiser, has long 
been associated with the progressive interests of 
Edwardsville Township, where he occui)ies an ex- 
cellent farm of one hundred and eleven acres, lie 
is a native of Leland, having lieen born in County 
Wexford, July 25, 1811), and is the son of James 
and INLargaret (Cosins) O'Neil, who lived and died 
in the Emerald Isle. 

James of this sketch had thirteen brothers and 
sisters, and with the exception of live sisters, all 
have long since passed away. lie was reared on a 
farm in his native land. In 18,54, determining to 
come to America, he embarked from Liverpool on 
the "Henry Clay," which landed him in New 
York after a passage of four weeks. Mr. O'Neil 
remained in that city for about seven years, being 
employed as a laborer, and in 1861 made his way 
to this state. For one year thereafter he was en 
gaged in working at Danville, and his next move 
brought him to this county, where for fourteen 
months he worked out on farms. 

The marriage of our subject, which occurred Sep- 
tember 8, 18G9, united him with Mrs. Mary 
(Daugherty) Taylor, who was born in County 
Donegal, Ireland. She died March 7, 1879. His 
second union was with the widow of his brother 
Patrick, Sirs. Elizabeth (Gibbons) O'Neil, a native 
of County Wexford, where she was born February 



10, 1838. Mrs. O'Neil was the daughter of Thomas 
and Mary (Ennis) Gibbons, whose decease occurred 
in the above county, at the respective ages of sev- 
enty and eight^'-three years. 

Mrs. O'Neil, who is the only survivor of her 
parents' family, came to America in 1865 with 
her first husband, by whom she became the mother 
of seven children, of whom Margaret is the wife 
of Patrick Caples, and Mary is at home. The 
other members of the family are deceased. 

The original of this sketch is numbered among 
the honored residents of the county. In the 
work of public imjirovement and development he 
has ever borne his part, and has manifested a com- 
mendable interest in everything pertaining to the 
welfare of the county. He has no occasion to re- 
gret his emigration tv America, for here he has 
gained i)rosperily, has found a [ileasant home and 
won many friends. With his family he is a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Church, and in politics always 
votes with the Democratic part}'. 









m 



"jflOHN STOLZK, a lumber dealer who is suc- 
I ccssfully engaged in business in Edwards- 
ville, was born August 17, 1848, in Nieder- 
/ orschel,Kreisworbis, Germany. His parents, 
Frederick William and Francisca (Volkinann) 
Stolze, were married in Euroiie and came to the 
United States in 1852, locating in Alton, IMadison 
County, in the vicinity of which place they have 
since lived. I n his native land Mr. Stolze followed 
weaving, and after coming to this country engaged 
in speculating, building and selling houses. Later 
he purchased a tract of land at Betlialto, which he 
cultivated and improved until his death, which 
occurred January 14, 1886. In politics he was a 
Democrat, and in religious belief was a Catholic. 
His widow now resides in Betlialto with her chil- 
dren. In the family were five children who grew 
to mature years, namely: John S.; Fred, of Betlialto; 
Josephine, wife of Jact)b Hartman, of Alton; 
Josei)h, who resides on the old homestead, and 



2:i\ 



POUTRAIT AND lilOCKAlMIICAL RECOliD. 



Mnry, wife of riunnas Hrowii.n fiiiiiu'r liviiii,' iitutli 
of lUaliHllo. 

Mr. Stolzc of this skelcli ri'iiiiiiiii'd ill home un- 
til tweiily-foiir years of age iiiitl to his father jjave 
tlie lu'iielil of iiis services, lie then purchased a 
tiirpshiiif; inacliinc wliich lie successfully operated 
for fcmr years, and on the expiration of that 
peiiod, in Septeinlier, 1H71, he eslahlished a lumber 
yard in Kdwardsvillo, at the corner of Vandalia 
and liuehanan .Streets. This liusiness he has sin.'c 
conducteil. lie carries a larL,'e stock of liinilier of 
all kinds, received from the north, south, east and 
west, and also a j;eneral line of huildinji: material. 
He is now doing a large and prolitahle husiness 
and has thereby acipiircd a fortune. He is also 
interested in real esUile, has erected a numltcr of 
buildings, and now has about twenty houses In 
Kdwardsville, which he rents, lie also owns two 
hundred and seventy acres of ricli and valuable 
farming land. 

On llu' 17lh (if .Vugust, 187,'i, in Kdwardsville, 
Mr. Slol/.e was united in marriage with Miss Louise 
(Irehel, daughter of .lacob and 'Theresa (!rel)el, na- 
tives of IJermany, an<I early settlers of Madison 
("onnty. The father is now deceased, but the 
mother is still living. In their family were eight 
cliililri'M : .Idsephiiie, Allierl, l''ri'dci'icU, Louise, ISer- 
tha, Clements, Ivlwaid and Al\ in, all of whom Jire 
still .-it home. 

Mr. .Stolze is a Democrat In politics and has 
served as Alderman for two years, lie is now 
President of the building association and also of 
St. Ilonifjice's Henevolcnt Society, lb' and liis fam- 
ily are all membeis of the Catholic Church. His 
father was the y(>niigest of .seven sons, and under 
a law of the (lernian Kmpire, as an old establislie<l 
custom, was entitled to be educated at the expense 
of the king, having the privilege of selecting any 
profession for special schooling. His father, how- 
ever, having been killed, he was cast among stran- 
gers and W!us thus cheated out of this gri'at opjior- 
lunity to secure a college ecliKalion. He was also 
dei>rived of the little bendits « hich would have 
come to him as the seventh son. As the father 
went without an education and succeeded in a 
linancial w.'iy he thought it unnecessary to edu- 
cate his children, thinking that they could w(.>rk 



and do as well as he had done, bnt John Stolzc 
did not agree to that plan and was determined to 
secure an education. When he was twenty-one 
years of age he earned the mone^y with which to 
pay the expeiuses of his schooling, and to his edu- 
cation he altributcs his successful business career. 
Honest |)riiiciples, careful methods and good busi- 
ness ability have also been im|iortant factors In his 
prosperity. Mr. Stolze has the respect ;in(l conli- 
dence of all who know him. 



€€^— 



ellARl.KS WKIS, editor. iiul propiictor of the 
lliglihinil ./"iirnal, was born in Cincinnati, 
' Ohio, Augiist28, 18.')5. His lather. Conrad 
Weis, a ualfve of liavaria, (ierniany, cniigiated to 
Aiiu'iica III early manhood and settled in Cincin- 
nati, where he learncil the ci>oper's trade. In that 
city he married Miss Ursula lihesi, who remained 
his devoted helpmatP until her death at White 
Hall, III., in 1879. 

The year IS.'j'J witnessed the arrival of the fam- 
ily in lliglilaiid, 111., whence removal was later 
made to While Hall, and there the father lives in 
retirement from active labors. In the schools of 
Highland our subject received his primary educa- 
tion, and when a mere child developed a liking 
for the printing business. He was but ten years 
old when he (■(iiiimeiui'tl to Icini tlic printer's 
trade in the ollice of the Highland I'liimi. \ year 
later he accompanied his parents to While Hall, 
( ireenc County, where for a lliiic he conducted his 
studies in the common schools. It was not long, 
liowevei , before he was again found in a newspa- 
per ollice, and from that time he was connected 
with the dllTcrent printing cslabllshment.s of the 
place. 

The lirst Independent journalistic venture made 
bv Mr. Weis was in l.SHIi, when he estalilished the 
While Hall Tiihum\h\\\, this, a .short time after- 
ward, he sold. Heing offered Haltering induce- 
ineiit~s to return to llighl.-md and establish another 
paper, he came to this [ilace in January, 18"J3, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



235 



on the 27tli of the same month issued the first 
coi>3' of tlie Highland Journal. Tiie paper at once 
tooli a liigii place among the journals of Madison 
County, and from the beginning of its career it 
has enjoyed a marked and constantly increasing 
success. Its articles and editorials have been ex- 
tensively copied, as it is always abreast of the 
limes, and is prepared to lead the discussion on all 
the leading topics of the day. In politics it is 
strictly independent, supporting the men and 
measures that, in the opinion of the proprietor, 
are best adapted to promote the prosperity of the' 
people. Its success is wholly due to the ability 
and energy with which Mr. Weis has conducted it 
from its inception to the present, and being a 
tiiorough newsjiaper man, he is well qualilied to 
make a success of the enterprise. 

The marriage of Mr. Weis occurred October .'), 
18«n, at White Hall, Jll., his wife being Miss .Julia 
McAvoy, of that city. They are the parents of 
two sons, Charles Francis and Clinton Jo.seph, who 
are now (IHOI), ten and seven years of age rc- 
spectivcl3'. 




IIOM AS C. KINNIKIN, deceased, was born 
'i((^\ '" ''^"***''^ County, Del., March 7, 1H'2(), and 
_>^ was of Irish and English descent. In that 
locality he was reared, there making his home un- 
til 18,'j5, which year witnessed his arrival in Madi- 
son County. He came direct to Olive Township, 
began farming, and was soon recognized as one of 
the leading agriculturists of the community. 

On the 12tli of January, 18G1, Mr. Kinnikin 
was married to Miss Martha K. Olive, and after his 
marriage located on a farm, which he made his 
home throughout his remaining days. He was 
well known for his strict integrity and sterling 
worth, and was an honored citizen, having the re- 
spect of all who knew him, and his friends in the 
community were many. Mrs. Kinnikin was born in 
Olive Township, Se|)teml)er 9, 18;i8. Her father, 
James Olive, was a native of Trigg County, Ky.,and 
in 1838 emigrated to Madison County, where he 
became a i)romincnt and intluential citizen. The 



township of Olive was named in his honor, and 
within its borders he still makes his home. His 
first wife, who bore the maiden name of Sina Mar- 
tin, was also a native f)f Kentucky, and during her 
girlhood came to this county, where she died some 
years ago. Mr. Olive afterward married Miss Mary 
A. Lane, of Kdwar(]sville. Mrs. Kinnikin is the 
third in a family of four children, and her maid- 
enhood days were spent in Olive Township, she re- 
maining at home until her marriage. In her fam- 
ily were seven children. Mary J., born November 
12, 18G2, is now the wife of J. W. Jencks, a resi- 
dcnt of liunker Hill; .Jennie, born November 27, 
18G4, is the wife of Nevelin Farrow, of Princeton, 
Ky.; George, born May 17, 1866, is a prominent 
business man, well known in this county; he is an 
extensive stock dealer, and at one time served as 
Assessor of Olive Township; Henry, born April 7, 
18G8, is married and resides in Worden, where he 
is cng.aged in the hotel and livery business; James 
was born February 3, 1871; Flora, born January 
14, 1874, died January 23, 1874, and Fflio May, 
born July 22, 187'J,is still at home. The children 
were all born in Olive Township, and the family 
is one of which the mother may well be proud, for 
its representatives are now occupying honorable 
and responsible positions in social and in business 
life. They have been well educated and are in- 
dustrious. George is an ambitious man; Ellie is a 
young lady of literary tastes, and has been an ex- 
tensive reader. James is a young man of sterl- 
ing qualities, and of great assistance to his mother. 
In his political views, Mr. Kinnikin was a Dem- 
ocrat, and though he kept well informed on the 
issues of the day, never sought or accepted public 
ollice, preferring to give his entire time and atten- 
tion to his business interests and to the enjoyment 
of his home. He was liberal, and the best interests 
of the community found in him a friend. He 
passed away in 1892, respected by all who know him. 
Mrs. Kinnikin was apiwinted administratrix of 
the estate, and has managed the business in a cap- 
able manner, meeting with good success. She owns 
three farms, one of eighty; another of sixtj', and 
a third of fifty-five acres. All are under a high 
state of cultivation and yield a good income to 
the owner. Mrs. Kinnikin |)osscsses excellent busi- 



23G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ncss and executive nhility, and also those graces 
of cliaraclcr wliicli bcloiiji; ti> a icfiiK'd lady. She 
is now a ineiiiber of llic Clirisliaii Cliuicii, and 
makes lier home in Worden. 



^-K-1— 




~s] 



AMUKL SANDBACII, wlio has made his 
own w.ay in tiie worhl since early iJOj'- 
iiood, is now one of tiie prominent and 
wealth^' citizens of Worden, where he is rc- 
sidini^, and wiierehe is engaged as a money loaner. 
lie was horn in New .lersej' Kehruary 6, 1835, 
and is a son of William Saudbach, a native of 
England, who crossed the Atlantic and located in 
the above state with liis father when a boy. 

The fattier followed farm pursuits in the Kin- 
pire State for a time, and ui)on coming to Illi- 
nois in 1837, was classed among the pioneer agri- 
culturists of Madison County. He later removed 
to Pana, where his decease occurred while en- 
gaged as a hotel keeper. He was a shrewd busi- 
ness man, well and favorably known in his local- 
ity, and while in the latter business was well 
patronized l)y the traveling public. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject bore 
the name of Richard Sandbacli. He was likewise 
born in the Mother Country', and after residing 
for a time in New Jersey, made his way to this 
stjite and entered land from the Government in 
Madison County, which he lived upon until his 
death. He owned and operated the first store 
in this vicinit}', which business, in connection with 
farming, enabled him to accumulate a handsome 
competence. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Sarah Conover; she was born in New .Jersey and 
wa-sof (Jerman descent. Hy her union with William 
Sandbach she became the mother of eleven chil- 
(hen, only four of wliom grew to manhood and 
womanhood, and three are living at the present 
time. Our subject is the second child and second 
son, and was three years old when he was brought 
to this county, where he has spent his entire life 



with the exception of two years passed in St. 
Louis, Mo. He remained under the parental roof 
until attaining his majority, in the meantime .is- 
sisting his father in the work of carrying on the 
home place, lie then commenced to work out at 
whatever he could find to do, and being indus- 
trious and economical, was soon the possessor of 
property of Lis own, which he has increased all 
these yenrs until now he is regarded as one of the 
substantial citizens of the county. 

Mr. Sandbach w.as married March 18, 1874, to 
Miss Sarah Swain, who was born in this coun- 
ty Noveml)er 13, 1838. She was the daughter of 
Nathan .1. Swain, a native of North Carolina, who 
came to Madison County in 1834, and thus was 
classed among the very earliest settlers. The 
mother of Mrs. Sandbach was Mrs. Elizabeth (.Sut- 
ton) Swain, who w.as also born in North Carolina. 
The wife of our subject was the fourth in order of 
birth of her parents' family of eleven children. 
After her marriage she located with her husband 
on a farm one-half mile north of Worden, where 
they remained until 1882, and then moved into 
the village, where Mr. Sandbach has been eng.agcd 
in a prosperous business ever since. They have 
one son, William Eddie, who is at home. In his 
political relations our subject is a Democrat. In 
all public enterprises he takes a leading part and 
is recognized by all as a first-class citizen. 



ll-^-i^li? 



jg^ AMUEL V. GROSSMAN was born in Lon- 

^^^ don, England, September 29, 1828. In 

^x£J3j "^■'"' '''■■" pai'ents emigrated to America and 

settled in New York. When lintalitlle 

over eight yeai-s old he was sent to Cincinnati, 

where he was bound out to learn the printer's 

trade. Soon after the expiration of his service, in 

18.54, he removed to Illinf)is, and settling in Alton, 

Madison County, .secured the position of foreman 

in the olHce of the Alton Telefjraph. 

The Tohijraph was later sohl to (icorgeT. Brown, 
of the Alton Courier, and Mr. Grossman became 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



237 



Superintendent of that office. The Alton Courier 
was :it tliis time one of the largest, as well as the 
best equipped, printing ofHce in Illinois, and con- 
ducted a large business in book and commercial 
printing. In 1859, in connection with B. J. F. 
Haiina, he conducted the publication of that paper, 
and during the following year, in companj' with 
L. A. I'arks, revived the Alton Telegraj)h. In the 
establishment of the Daily Telegraph he also took 
an active part. 

Parks & Grossman continued together until 
18G4, when the latter withdrew, and associating 
liiniself with James II. Ilibbard, established a job 
olHce. Subsequently this firm was dissolved, Mr. 
Grossman becoming sole proprietor. After con- 
tinuing for a number of years in Alton, he re- 
moved the office to Edwardsville in 1869, and es- 
tablished the Edwardsville Mepublican, which he 
continued to publish until the dale of his death, 
June 17, 1875. 

In his social connections Mr. Grossman was a 
distinguished member of the Masonic fraternity, 
and belonged to the Blue, Royal Arch, Cryptic and 
Templar Masonry. In religious faith he was a 
Methodist, and in early youth attached himself to 
that organization, to the doctrines of which he was 
faithful until death. In Sunday-school work he 
was especially inlercsled and for a number of years 
served as Superintendent of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Sundaj'-school at Alton, later Inling the same 
position in Edwardsville. 

On the 27th of February, 1849, Mr. Grossman 
was united in marriage with Miss Ellen A. Mor- 
gan, of Cincinnati, with whom he lived happily 
until her death, in 1873. Eight children were the 
result of this marriage, four of whom still sur- 
vive, and two, Thomas M. and AVilliam R. Cross- 
man, still continue the publication of the Edwards- 
ville Republican. From the useful life of Mr. 
Grossman there may be gleaned many lessons 
worthy of the emulation of the j'oung and the ad- 
miration of the old. Commencing at the foot of 
the ladder, he steadily' worked his way upward 
until he was numbered among the progressive and 
capable journalists of Madison County. A liberal 
and public-spirited citizen, he was always ready 
to contribute of his time and means to the advance- 



ment of the best interests of the community. 
Among his fellow-citizens he was highl^y respected, 
as he possessed that uprightness of character and 
nobility of disposition that won for him the re- 
gard of all with whom he was brought into con- 
tact. 



:^#(^ 



^^ ARL STRASEN. Among the finely tilled 
(l( „ farms of Madison County stands that of 
^^!^ our subject, which is located on section 11, 
Pin Oak Township, and which comprises two hun- 
dred and sixty broad acres. He was born in Meck- 
lenburg, Germany, October 14, 1818, and is the 
son of Martin and Catherine (Lendov) Strasen, 
who lived and died in the i)lace where their son, 
our subject, was born. 

Young Carl is one in a family of seven children 
born to his father and mother, three of whom are 
yet living. He set sail for this country in 1852 
from Hamburg, and landed in New Orleans after a 
voyage of six weeks. He subsequently came to 
this county and worked on the railroad for a pe- 
riod of two 3'ears, when he went to St. Louis, stay- 
ing for a short time. Again journeying to Madi- 
son County, our subject this time worked out on 
farms by the month until his marriage. He then 
rented land for four years, but was soon enabled 
to purchase one hundred acres. On this he erected 
a comfortable home, and some years later added 
to his original purchase, until he is now the proud 
possessor of two hundred and sixty acres of as 
finely tilled land as is to be found in the county. 
On this he is engaged in mixed farming, and has 
been very successful from the beginning. 

The date of the marriage of our subject with 
Miss Louisa Miller was on the 12th of May, 1854. 
Mrs. Strasen was born in Brunswick, Germany, 
and is the daughter of Henry and Antoinette ( Var- 
naken) Miller, who lived and died in Germany, 
and who were farmers by occupation. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Strasen were born twelve children, nine of 
whom are yet living. AVilliam is married, but has 
no children; Daniel M. is married and is the fa- 



238 



PORTRAIT AND lUOORArillCAL RKCORD. 



llicr tif four childii'ii ; .luliii is tlic wife of llcmy 
Kiiliii, and lias Ikh-oiiu' llio iikiIIiit of four diil- 
ilriMi; Aniolia sinil ■). Aii<»ust arc at lioim>; Louisa, 
now Mrs. .lai'oli l'ni)sl, lias throe cliililron; Mary is 
niarrit'd to llonry Kicki'rnian, and the ri'adur is rc- 
fiM-rod to his skctoli ctsi'wluMo in this book; Anna 
.1. is ftl. lionip wilii her parrnt-s; and Lena A. is tlie 
wifo of Kdward Rnndlp. 

rolitioally Mr. Slrasen is a Democrat, and has 
voted that ticket since coniinji to America. lie 
lias lieen School Director of his district for twelve 
years, and has lilled the position with credit to all. 
Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Str.a.sen and family are 
devoted inemliers of the Lutheran t'hureh, and arc 
held in the highest esteem liy their many friends 
and aci|uaiiil,nnces. 



-o*o-@,^hA@..o*o.- 



-S^- 



\If KNUY A. KATON, a well-to-do a<iiicullur- 
ilT jl ist of Hamel Township, was liorii in Kd- 
%^ wardsviile Decemher "iO, 1811. lie is the 
(^) son of Hon. Ileiiiy K. l'",:iton and tlie 
grandson of Tlu>mas and Sarah (Kim;) Eaton. 
For a fuller account of the parenl^U family the 
reader is referred to the sketch of our subject's 
brother, William V. Ivatoii, found on another page 
of this volume. 

Henry A. was educated in his native village, and 
early in life became familiar with agricultural 
pursuits, lie remained at luune until his mar- 
riage, February 12, ISC'), to Miss Margaret Love. 
This lady w.as born near the jnesent home of Mr. 
Katon March 21, l.Hl l,and departed tliis life April 
16, 1H61I, after having become the mother of two 
children, who died previous to the nuither's de- 
mise. The second marriage of tmr subject w.as to 
Miss Margaret K. Hurke, the date of the union 
being Octolier 28, 1871. 

Mrs. l'",aton w.as born in Macoupin County, this 
state, November il, 18.'>0, and is the daughter of 
Thomas and I^ii/alielh (Francis) IJiirke, natives 
respectively of Walerford and t'ounly Wexford, 
Ireland. The mother was born December 3, 1830, 
and is still livin;;, making her home in (iillespie, 
this slflte. Mr. lliiiki- was born December 21, 1813, 
and departed this life when in his (iftv-lifth year. 



They emigrated to .\Mieiiea in |81il, -11111 1 .s t I re- 
spectively, and lived near St. Louis until 18,')(), 
when the father went to California and was there 
eng.aged in mining and farming. There he was 
cruelly killed by the Indians, who also destroyed 
his house. The grandparents of Mrs. Katon were 
. lames and Alice (Scott) lUirke, of Knglisli and 
Scotch descent. Trior to her marriage Mrs. Katon 
taught for four years in the |)ulilic sch(K)ls of this 
state, and being a lady of education and cnltuie, 
met with success in that [)rofessioii. 

To our subject and his estimable wife have been 
granted nine children. William H. was born No- 
vember 28, 187;"), and received an excellent edu- 
cation in McKendree College at Lebanon; Thomas 
II. was born September 30, 1877; (ieorge K., .Inly 
IC, 1879; Margaret K., February 2, 1882; Ros- 
anna, born February 1.'), 1883, died when in her 
fourth year; Charles, born December 22, ISS,""); 
Mary M., December II, 1887, and Kdward F., De- 
cember 3, 188'.l. I'omerv died in infancy. 

.S>on after his marriage our subject located 
upon the faiin he is at present occupying, which 
comprises two huiulred and seventy acres. It is 
embellished with all necessary Iniildiiigs and every 
needful piece of ni.acliincry used by progressive 
and wide-awake agriciilturist,s. At present he is 
engaged in mixed fanning, although for .seven 
years he made a specially of dairying. 

In polities Mr. Katon is a strong Ropulilican, 
and east his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. So- 
cially he is prominent Mason, holding membership 
with the lodge in Kdwardsville. He is a member 
of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church, while Mrs. 
Katon belongs to the l''.piscopal Church. No fam- 
ily can boast better progciiitoi-s than the one whose 
representative is the subject of this sUeteh, .and 
the chaiaelerislics displayed by father and grand- 
father have descended unto the third and foiiilh 
generations. 

HILIPRAKR, a prominent young attorney. 

making his home in St. .lacob, w.as l)orn on 

a farm near the village I-Vbruary 13, 1870. 

He is the son of Rudolph ll;ier, a native of 

Switzerland, who eiiiii;rated to ,\mcriea when a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



241 



3'Oiing man, making liis way directly to this coun- 
13-, whftre he became one of the well-to-do farmers 
and stock-raisers. He is still living, making his 
home in the village, retired from the active ))ur- 
suits of life. 

The original of this sketcli is the j-onngest liv- 
ing of the seven sons and three daughters born to 
his parents, the youngest son having died in 1885. 
I'liilip remained on the home farm until attaining 
his sixteenth year, in the meantime having at- 
tended the district school. His parents moving 
into St. Jacob at that time, he conducted his stud- 
ies in the high scliool, from which he was gradu- 
ated with the Class of '87. His first emplo^'nient 
was as clerk in the drug store of Charles Spies, 
with whom he remained for two years, and the 
following four years taught school. Wishing to 
further inform himself, Mr. IJaer entered Howard 
College, at Fairfield, and after a course in that in- 
stitution received business training in the Central 
College of .St. Louis. 

June 8, 1893, our subject was graduated from 
the law department of McKendree College, and 
seven days later was admitted to the Bar to prac- 
tice. He had conducted his law studies with E. C. 
and W. E. .Springer, prominent attorneys of Ed- 
wardsville. In connection with carrying on his 
practice he is discharging the duties of Police 
Magistrate, to which oflice he was elected in April, 
189.3, and is the youngest man that was ever 
elected to that responsible position. He was also 
ap|X)inted Assistant Principal of the St. Jacob 
High School, and altogether is one of the rising 
young men of the da\' in this county-. 

Louis Baer, an older brother of our subject, was 
lx)rn Juh' 12, 1868. on the home farm in this coun- 
ty, and received his earlv education in the coun- 
try schools. He later attended successively the .St. 
Jacob and Marine schools and also attended the 
AVells' Training School at Oregon, Hi., two sum- 
mers. He began teaching when eighteen j'ears of 
age. He was for three years Assistant Princijjal 
of the public school in this village, and in the fall 
of !893 received the appointment of Principal of 
the Madison school. He is one of the most able 
joung educators of the day, and is an orator of 
more than local note, having been a prominent 



public speaker for the past eight j-ears. He also 
contributes many excellent articles to the various 
local papers, which are eagerly read. In the sum- 
mer of 1889 he made an educational and pleasure 
trip through Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming, 
gleaning much useful information. 



T/ OUIS LATZER, President of the Helvetia 
I (fSi Milk Condensing Company at Ilighhind, 
jj' — ^. was born two miles south of this cit}- No- 
vember 11, 1848. His father, Alois Latzer, who 
was an Austrian by birth, came to America in De- 
cember, 1846, and entered and improved a farm 
near Highland, where for some years he made his 
home. Through the exercise of good judgment in 
business affairs he became the possessor of ample 
means, and as the climate of our country did not 
agree with him, he decided to return to Europe. 
In 1868 he returned to his native land and settled 
on the sunny side of the Alps, where the remain- 
der of his life was passed. There he died in 1891, 
at the age of eight^'-four j-ears. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Margaret Caduff, died in 1872. 

Two children were born to Alois and Margaret 
Latzer, of whom one son died in 1872, when about 
twenty years of age, he being a student in the Uni- 
versitj'of Wisconsin. Louis, the only survivor, w.as 
educated in the public schools of Highland. Later 
he took a preparator}' course at McKendree Col- 
lege, and entered the State University at Cham- 
paign in 1872, but discontinued after the Fresh- 
man 3'ear, owing to failing health. In early man- 
hood he established home ties, choosing as his wife 
Miss Eliza Luehm, an amiable lad}', whose refined 
tastes are visible in the interior furnishings and 
arrangement of tlie pleasant rural home. They 
are the parents of six children, Alice, .lohn Albert, 
Mary Jane, Leonora, Robert and Irma. 

In township affairs Mr. Latzer has long been 
prominent. For two terms he was a member of 
the Board of Ilighw.ay Commissionei-s, served 
eleven years on the Count}' Board of Supervi- 
sors, of which he was Chairman for one term, and 



•212 



PORTRAIT AND RIor.RArillCAL RECORD. 



alsii siM'ved asChninnaii of llio l''iii!iiu't' t'oininitlfe 
for hix ye.'ii-s. l"\ir over twenty years In- was ooii- 
necled with llie piililir soliools, eitlicr as a nu'iiihor 
of the lioaril of Kilueatioii or as aTownship Trus- 
tee of Schools. Ho started out in life as a fanner, 
hut it was nol Kinj; hofore his attention was turned 
into anotiier line of Inisiness. Some years aj;;o a 
Swiss adventurer came to llifjliland, with what he 
claimed Ui he a new proeess for eondeiisinj; milk 
without sugar. Our suhjeet, with many other 
leading; and wealthy citizens of the locality, t^iok 
stock in a company that was oij^anizcd lo put to 
practice the theories of the man from Switzerland. 
A plant was erected and operations conunenccd, 
hut it was soon discovered that the promoter of 
the enterprise was simply an adventurer, and while 
his theory was good, it could not he put into prac- 
tice. The (leople had invested large sums of money 
in the concern, which so far had proved a failure. 
However, Mr. Latzcr with another stockholder, 
.lolm Wihli (now Secretary and Treasurer of the 
company), set ahout perfecting the process, both 
having some knowledge of chemistry, and being 
encouraged by other large stockholilers. A labora- 
tory was fitted up, and soon their present process 
was in successful operation. Largely- through the 
efforts of these two gentlemen, what at one time 
seemed to be a failure, proved a great success. 

In 1888 Mr. Latzer was made President of the 
company, and from the first has given the enter- 
prise his whole attention. Krom time to time the 
plant has been enlarged, and improved machinery 
has been added, mucli of which was invented by 
parties connected with the company. They have 
now one of the most complete plants of the kind 
in the world. Employment is given to seventy- 
five or a hundred people in the different depart- 
ments, and aliout three thousand gallons of milk 
are used per day. The product* find a market in 
nearly every country on the globe, and the enter- 
prise h.os brought wealth to the principal stock- 
holders. 

A thorough student, .is well as an able business 
man, Mr. Latzer in.iy well feel a great satisfaction 
in his financial success, for he was, to a great ex- 
tent, instrumental in bringing into practical opera- 
tion what at one time seemed to he hut v.sguc 



tluHiries. The products of the factory took the 
first prize at the I'aris Exposition, also at the Coi- 
timhian Exposition, where their ^3,000 exhibit at- 
tracted many admiring eyes. They also had a 
most complete exhibit at the California Mid-win- 
ter Eair, held in San Francisco in 18',I3-!)1, where 
they were .again awarded tiie first prize. 

Hesides this enterprise, Mr. Latzer has other im- 
portant interest--;. He is a stockholder in the High- 
land Milling Company, and also superiiiten<ls the 
management of the farm where he was born, and 
which is still his home. He is an indefatigable 
worker, and from fiveo'dock in the morning until 
late in the afternoon, ho may be found in his office 
or about the factory. Then returning to his coun- 
try home, the evening is passed in the society of 
his famil3' and in congenial intercourse with the 
many friends who accept the iiospitality of his de- 
lightful abode. 



-^^ 



HAULES LEXOW. This energetic and er.- 
terprising citizen of Mitchell is the <twner 

•' of a large and handsome store, which is 
stocked with a full line of merchandise. Besides 
being one of the prominent business men of the 
place Mr. Lexow is also an inlluential politician 
and has done good work for his party in this 
section. 

Charles ,1. Lexow, the father of our subject, w.as 
born in Hanover, Germany, September 24, 1834, 
and when eighteen years of age left home and en- 
tered the army. He served creditably- in the war 
with Denmark, from 1864 to 1871, and wiis also a 
soldier in the ranks during the war with Austria 
and France. At the close of the war he returned 
home and received the commission of Lieutenant 
of Police, which he held until his decease, in 1874. 

December 2;"), 18G1, Charles J. Lexow was mar- 
ried to Miss AugusUa Wise, of Saxony, the daugh- 
ter of .lohn F. Wise; she was born in 183C, and 
died in 1873, leaving four children, of whom our 
subject w.as the eldest. Otto was born in 18G4 and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



243 



still miikes liis homo in tlio Falliorl.aml; Hugo, horn 
in 18G7, resides in Nebraska, and Martlia, liorn in 
1873, is at St. Mary's Convent, in St. Louis, Mo. 

Charles, of this sketch, was horn August 12, 
18C2, in Saxony, and when a lad of ten years his 
father sent liim to a military academy at Anna- 
berg, where he remained for live years. Upon at- 
taining his eighteenth year ho entered a commer- 
cial college, and after his graduation determined to 
come to America. He had some dilllf-\ilty, how- 
ever, in leaving home, as he had been drafted into 
the army, but by going b}' way of Southampton, 
England, he boarded a vessel in safely and arrived 
in lioston, Mass., July 2, 1881. From that city he 
came to Alton and worked for a time in the em- 
ploy of Dr. Ouelicli. The next fifteen months he 
engaged as a clerk in a di\y-goods store, and in 
1883 came to Mitciiell. 

.Mr. Lexf)vv was chosen Assistant Postmaster 
after making tiiis village his home, and at the 
same time clerked in a general store. A year 
thereafter he went on a visit to Nebraska, and on 
his return worked three years for Henry Quinn. 
In 1887 he purchased the stock of goods owned by 
S. E. lioosky and went into business for himself, 
engaging as a general merchant. In the fall of 
1893 he lost his store and contents by (ire. He then 
bought sixty-six acres of land owned by H. Reina- 
man, on wliich he built a hotel, saloon and dry- 
goods store, which he is operating at present. 

Long Lake, a popular fishing resort, flows 
through the farm of our subject and he contem- 
plates erecting on its banks a boat and bath house, 
windmill and ten pin alle^', which will make of it 
one of the finest resorts in the state. Mr. Lexow 
was appointed Postmaster under Cleveland's first 
administration, and was re-appointed by Harrison, 
and is still the incumbent of the position. 

September 21, 1887, Mr. Lexow was married to 
Miss Lena, daughter of Henry Reinaman, who was 
born in the Fatherland in 1843. She is at present 
(.tunc, 1894) on a visit to her old home in Ger- 
many. They are the parents of two children, 
Charles J. and Lcn.a. Mrs. Lexow was born Octo- 
ber 3, 18C8, and came to America when quite 
young. Prior to her marriage she assisted her f.a- 
ther in carrying on the business, and now that it is 



owned by her husband she is often called upon 
to manage affairs in his absence. Our subject in 
politics belongs to the Democratic part^'. He has 
been a member of the Central Committee in this 
township since 1884, and cast his first vote for 
President Cleveland. 



m 



Q' 



mi 



l^^- 



|OIIN H. RUENHALL, who is residing on 
section 18, is classed among the wide-awake 
and [jrogressive farmers of Omphghent 
Township. Like the majority of the best 
residents here, he was born in Germany, June 13, 
1832, and is the son of Philip Ruenhall, also a na- 
tive of the Fatherland, where he followed the trade 
of a carpenter. 

The mother of our subject was Mrs. Anna (Hol- 
mer) Ruenhall, also of German birth, who departed 
this life after coming to America. She was the 
mother of eight children, of whom our subject was 
the eldest but one. He remained in his native 
land until he was twenty years of age, and then, 
determining to try his fortunes in this country, he 
came hither and located in St. Louis, remaining 
there until 1860. That year he came to this 
county and purchased unimproved property on 
section 8, this township. This tract he lived upon 
until 1879, when he made another move, .settling 
on liis present valuable estate. 

John H. Ruenhall was united in marriage in 
1854, to Miss Minnie Gosleng, a native of Ger- 
many, who crossed the Atlantic and located in the 
Mound City in 1852. Their union has resulted in 
the birth of five children, named respectively: 
William, Fred, Louisa, Reka and Anna. 

Mr. Ruenhall still retains possession of his farm 
on section 8, which comprises one hundred and 
twenty acres of land under an excel lent state of im- 
provement. His home farm includes one hundred 
and twenty -six and onc-lialf acres, which by a proper 
rotation of crops is made to yield a handsome 
income. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and 
has served his fellow-townsmen in the capacity of 



244 



I'OUTRAIT AND lilOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



Road Commissioner, Supervisdi- and ScIumiI Direc- 
tor, lie and liis wifo arc |)Oi)|il(' wlio arc liitc'dy 
resppctod and univorsally lil<t'd aiwl I'stoenicd liy 
the entire comnmnily. 



^>-^<t 



.^^= 



Xu^ 



^OlIN WALSH, wlu) successfully carries on 
farniini; on section 14, Oniplif^lienl Town- 
ship, is nunibered among the early settlers 
of Madison County, and since pioneer days 
lias taken an active and conuiiendalile interest in 
all that pertains to the welfare of the coninuiuity 
and its upbuilding. A native of County Limerick, 
Ireland, he w.as born in I'Y'bruary, 1833, and is the 
liflli in a family of nine children, whose parents 
were Morris and Margaret (Carroll) Walsh. They 
too were natives of County Limerick, and the fa- 
ther followed farming. His death occurred on the 
Emerald Isle at the age of sixty-five yeare, and his 
wife died in this country at the age of sixty-five. 
The subject of this sketch was a youth of twelve 
summers when he crossed the Atlantic to America 
on the ship "Cato," which droi)ped anchor in the 
harbor of New Orleans. He went direct to Alton, 
111., and thence to Prairie Town, Madison County, 
where he cml)arked in farming in connection with 
his brother, Thomas Walsh, with whom he did 
business until his marriage. On the 13th of Feb- 
ruary, 1859, he W!is joined in marriage with 
Bridget Stewart, a native of Ireland, who came to 
the United States during her girlhood. Her first 
home was in Vernmnt; later she lived in Ohio, 
thence removed to St. Louis, Mo., and afterward 
came to Madison County, where her death occurred 
Septemlwr 12, 1869. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Walsh were born seven chil- 
dren: Mary, now at home; Morris, who died at the 
age of eighteen years; Thomas, an agriculturist of 
Morgan County, 111.; John and Hridget, at home; 
Ro.sa, deceased; and one who died in infancy. All 
were born in Madiscm County. 

For one year sifter his marriage Mr. Walsh re- 
sided near Prairie Town, upon a rented farm, and 



then with the capital he had acquired purchased a 

small f:uiii of (ifty acres, the same on which he 
now resides, although he has extended its bounda- 
ries from lime to time In' additional purcli.ase un- 
til two hundred and thirty acresof good land p.iys 
tribute to his care and cultivation. He has trans- 
formed the wild prairie into rich and fertile fields 
and now has a valuable and desirable place. He is 
recognized as one of the enterprising agriculturists 
of the comiuunity. 

Mr. Walsh is numbered among the early settlers 
of Madison County, and has been identified with 
its growth and develoimient since his arrival here, 
doing all in his power to promote the general wel- 
fare. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Stephen A. Douglas, and on subjects of state and 
national importance supports the Democr.acv, but 
at local elections where no issue is involved he 
votes independently, supporting the men whom he 
thinks best rpialified for the ollice, regardless of 
party alliliations. 



^p^ FORCE F. J. HARNSBACK, who operates 
(II (-— , the old homestead in Pin Oak Township, 
"^^^ijl w'hich has been in his pf>ssession for a num- 
ber of years, is one of the substantial and progress- 
ive iigriculturists of this section. He was born 
on this fairn May 7, 1853, and is the son of Will- 
iam J. Barnsback, whose birth occurred .January 
24, 1813, in Illinois. He in turn was descended 
from George F. J. Barnsback, the son of .lustus 
Andreas Barnsback, a native of Ciermany, where 
the name was spelled Berensbach. The latter was 
born February' G, 1010, and was the pastor of a 
church at Wilberhausen, (lermany, where he died 
in 1705. 

The ancestry of our subject, however, can only 
be properly traced back to .lohan Otto Barnsback, 
who was born September 13, 1G7G, and after com- 
pleting his education, went to Leipsic in 1G9C, 
and from there to Saxonj'. He traveled over the 
greater portion of Europe, and in 1701 perfected 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



245 



a drainage system, which caused him to become 
quite prominent. Two years later he was made 
Mint Assayer, and in 1717 was a|)pointed agent 
for some mines. For many years he served as 
Administrator of the town of Clansthal, and in 
1726 was made the first officer of the mint at that 
place. Johan Otto Barnsback died July 14, 1740. 

The grandfather of our subject, George F. J. 
Barnsback, was born July 23, 1781. He was de- 
prived of the care of both parents when onl3' 
three years of age, and was given a home with his 
sister until 1795, when he began to make his own 
way in the world, becoming clerk in a store at 
Hameln, Germany. In 1797 he left his native land 
and set sail from Bremen for the United States, 
landing in Philadelphia. Two months later he 
emigrated further west to Kentuck3', where for 
several years he was overseer of a plantation. 
After that he traveled on sea and land, and on 
one of his trips lost all his earthly possessions, which 
consisted of eighty boxes of Havana cigars. After 
various attempts to gain a competence, George F. 
J. Barnsback, Sr., returned to Germany, but did 
not remain long, for in 1809 we again find him 
residing in the Blue Grass State. 

The grandfather was married while living in 
the alx)ve state to Miss Mary, daughter of Thoinas 
Minter, and in 1809 came to Illinois, first locat- 
ing in St. Clair County. As the land had not 
yet been placed in the market, he engaged in loan- 
ing money through St. Louis brokers, who, on 
the outbreak of the War of 1812, failed, and con- 
sequently Mr. Barnsback was left without means. 

After the land was surveyed and divided into 
counties, the grandfather of our subject found his 
possessions to lie in Madison County, where he 
made his home until 1825, and then returned for 
the second time to Germany on a visit. Coming 
again to America, he moved his effects to Missouri, 
where he had bought a plantation, and for many 
years operated it with slave labor. During this 
time he still retained possession of his property in 
this county', and after disposing of his planta- 
tion, moved upon his farm and spent his last 
days engaged in its cultivation. After returning 
from Missouri, the grandfather made a third trip 
across the Atlantic, and when again taking up 



his abode in the United States was a much richer 
man, as he inherited considerable property while 
in Germany. 

The original of this sketch was one in a family 
of ten children, and when old enough attended 
the district school, and later Lebanon College. 
The lady to whom he was married Jul}- 22, 1880, 
was Miss Maltie Matthew, and to them was born 
one child, Ona L, who departed this life Novem- 
ber 20, 1893. Mrs. Barnsback was born in Col- 
linsville, this county, and at her death, September 
19, 1884, was greatly mourned by a host of warm 
friends. The lady who became the second com- 
panion of our subject, and to whom he was united 
July 15, 1886, was Miss Kate M. Vineyard. She 
was born in St. Clair County, this state, January 
5, 1862, and by her union with Mr. Barnsb.ick 
has become the mother of three children, two of 
whom are living: Federick E., born May 25, 1887, 
and Clara M., April 9, 1891. 

The mother of our subject prior to her marriage 
was Nancy Watt. She was the daughter of James 
and Diana Watt, the former born June 25, 
1793, and the latter Jul}' 14, 1792. They are 
both now deceased, dying in 1869 and 1866 re- 
spectively. Mrs. Nancy Barnsback was born Oc- 
tober 8, 1816, in Warren County, Ky., and is 
still living, making her home on the old farm with 
our subject. 

The father of Mrs. Kate Barnsback served as a 
soldier in the late war. as a member of Company 
B, First Missouri Infantiy. He particijjated in 
all the battles in which his company was engaged, 
and received his honorable discharge September 
25, 1865. He bore the name of George Vineyard, 
and the lady to whom he was married was Miss 
Margaret Zembro. The latter is sMU living, mak- 
ing her home in Madison County at the age of 
fifty-six years. 

After his marriage our subject rented land for 
a time, but soon thereafter was enabled to buy a 
farm of his own, which he operated until dispos- 
ing of it in order to take charge of the old home- 
stead, of which he is now part owner. It is a 
most valuable estate, well e(iuipped, and in the 
vocation of an agriculturist Mr. Barnsback is 
making a success. In politics he always votes for 



246 



I'OHTRAIT AND lUOCRAPIIICAL KKCORD. 



Republican candidates, bcliuviny; llml party to be 
in tlie right, lie lias always been greatly inter- 
ested in educational affairs, and for sixteen years 
has served as a member of the School Hoard. His 
family are all members of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. Our subject is known throughout 
the county as a wide-awake and progressive fanner, 
and commands the respect and esteem of its best 
people. 



+: 



=+ 




\If_ ON. WILLIAM 11. KAIRKS was elected to 
J the State Legislature in 1890, serving as 
a member of the Thirty-seventh General 
^ Assembly. lie did good work in that body 
as a member of various important committees and 
intr(»(luced many leading bills. Mr. Faires is now 
residing on a line estate, a mile squaie, on sec- 
tions 2G and 3;'), in St. .lacob Township, the 
work of which is carried on for the most part by 
his enterprising sons. 

Our subject is a native of this ctiunty, and 
w.as born in the township in which he is at pres- 
ent residing August 11, 18.32. lie is a son of 
William Faires, whose birth occurred August 5, 
I7M'.), in North Carolina, where he was a wag(m- 
maker by trade. The parents came overland to 
this state in an early day, making their home in 
Lebanon, where his father carried on his trade, 
lie later removed to this township, where his 
death occiu'red February 11, 1800. The maiden 
name of his wife was Klizabetli Orr; she, too, was 
born in North Carolina, the date thereof being 
•lune 17, 1791. She is also deceased, passing away 
in this township in 18ol3. 

The original of this sketch was the j-oungest 
member of the parental family of nine children, 
comprising four sons and live daughters. His 
eldest brother. Flam, wa.s a farmer and died in 
this township, of which his son Cliarles L. is 
the i)resent Supervisor. .losejjli .1. died at the 
age of nineteen j'eare; Hugh L. W. is a resident 
at Nickerson, Kan.; N.aomi is the wife of Abner 
Pyle, a farmer of this township; Eliza is now Mrs. 



A. D. Thomas and lives in Macon County, this 
state, where her husband is a retired farmer; .lane 
married William Woods and died soon afterward; 
Mary became the wife of (ieorge Cuddy and both 
are now deceased ; Sarah Ann is now Mrs. .lohn 
W. Harton, a retired fanner living at Niekerson, 
Kan. 

William II. grew to mature years on the home 
farm, and after receiving his education in the 
comnKni schools learned the trade of a black- 
smith in the shop of his father, which was built 
on the home place. This he followed but a few 
years, however, when he abandoned it to engage 
in farm pursuits, which he has made his life work. 
He started in life by buying twent3' .acres of 
limber land, to which he soon added fort^' more; 
this he improved and later sold at a good advance. 
With the money thus obtained he purchased an- 
other \)iecc of property, which he also disposed of 
to advantage, until he became one of the largest 
land owners in the county, owning at the i)resent 
time an entire section, all t>f which is under most 
admirable tillage. For many years he has been 
practically retired from hard work, the estate be- 
ing under the ellicient management of his sons, 
who have been trained to follow in their father's 
footsteps in this respect. 

Mr. Faires has filled various positions of trust and 
honor, having been Supervisor of his township for 
a number of years, and having served on the Hoard 
of Education for many terms. He was elected to 
the Legislature in 1890, in which body he proved 
a very useful member, serving with credit to him- 
self and satisfaction to his constituents. He has 
been a life-long Democrat in politics, and gives 
his vote and inlluencc toward placing the party in 
power. 

The 11(111. Mr. Faires is one of the stockholders 
in the Farmers' Mutual IJenelit Association Ele- 
vator at St. .lacob, and is interested in various 
enterprises in tins section. He was married in 
April, 1861, to Miss M. .lane ruttnam.a native of 
Tennessee, who came to this county with her fam- 
ily when a mere child. l!y her union with our 
subject there have been born eight children, of 
whom we make the following tneiitioii: William 
A. married Sarah A. Ilobbs ami resides on his fa- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



247 



ther's farm; Charles H. married Minnie C. Hauff- 
man and also aids in conducting the home place; 
Lizzie Orr is the wife of William M. Black and 
lives in this township; Horace G. is single and at 
home, as is also Julia and Lulu, twins; Edward 
Allen and Hattic May complete the family. 



ylLLIAM MONTGOMERY is widely known 
throughout Madison County. He is now 
serving as station agent, express agent 
and Postmaster at Moro, and is also engaged as a 
dealer in general merchandise. With the history 
of this community his name is inseparably con- 
nected, and. he has the honor of being one of the 
native citizens of Moro Township. He was born 
September 30, 1818, and is a son of James Mont- 
gomery, also a native of Madison County, born 
February 20, 1825. 

The father of our subject was reared upon a 
farm, and began life for himself on section 32, 
Moro Township, where he built a log cabin and 
improved a farm. In 1855, in connection with 
Hugh Smith, he built the first mill in Mori^, and 
operated it for several 3'ears. In an early day he 
served as Justice of the Peace. In 1860 he sup- 
ported Bell, but in 1864 voted for Lincoln, and 
was ever afterward an active Republican. He was 
also an officer in the Union League. His death oc- 
curred March 17, 1873. The grandfather of our 
subject, William Montgomery, was born in Ken- 
tucky, November 20, 1786, went to St. Louis in 
1809, and in 1814 came to Madison County, where 
he died October 10, 18'49. The great-grandfather, 
Thomas Montgomery, was born in Ireland, and 
came to America in 1769. He was a soldier in the 
Revolution, serving throughout that war. 

The mother of our subject, who bore the maiden 
name of Elizabeth McKittrick, was born near Troy, 
111., May 29, 1830, and deitarted this life May 23, 
1892. Her father, Samuel McKittrick, was born 
in Ireland, April 8, 1795, laniled in New York May 
12, 1818, and on the 29th of June, 1825, married 



Annie Walker. His death occurred in 1867, at the 
age of eight^'-two years and six months. In tlie 
Montgomery family there were nine children: 
William, of this sketch; Sarah, who died in in- 
fancy; Jemima, born January 2, 1852, and mar- 
ried Henry Ellis, December 26, 1878; James, born 
January 7, 1855, and married Alice M. Smith in 
August, 1877; Samuel, born April 6, 1857, and 
died June 9, 1877; Elizabeth Ada, who was born 
December 29, 1859, and died September 14, 1881; 
Alice, who was born March 3, 1862, and is now 
the wife of Joseph H. Smith, residing on the old 
homestead; Nancy, born February 19, 1864, and 
died March 24, 1873; and Grace, who was born 
October 3, 1866, and died March 21, 1873. 

On the home farm our subject was reared to 
manhood, gaining the rudiments of his education 
in the common schools. From 1866 until 1868 he 
attended school in P^lwaidsville, and in 1869 was 
a student in the University of Chami)aign. In the 
fall of 1871 he went to Sumner County, Kan., and 
pre-empted a claim, upon which he lived until 
May, 1872. He then returned and worked upon 
the home farm. On the 4th of June, 1874, he 
was united in marriage with Julia A. Cox, who 
was born in Betlialto, November 14, 1854. Her 
father, Isaac Cox, was born in South Carolina, 
January 9, 1800. Her grandfather, Anthony Cox, 
a native of Virginia, served in the Revolutionary 
War, and in 1800 became a pioneer of Madison 
County, where he died in 1813. 

Isaac Cox became a prominent citizen of this 
community, and officiated as County Assessor and 
County Treasurer for many years. He was a fa- 
miliar figure throughout this community, and all 
who knew him respected him for his sterling W(jrth. 
He was twice appointed to take the census of Mad- 
ison Count}'. In 1827 he removed to Betlialto, 
where he spent his remaining days. He married 
Leanna Flinn, who was born in Tennessee, and 
during girlhood came to Madison County. 

After his marriage, Mr. Montgomery remained 
at home until the estate was settled, and then pur- 
chased eighty acres of land in Montgomeiy Coun- 
ty, a mile southeast of Raymond, where he lived 
for two years. In Sei)teml)er, 1877, he removed to 
Moro, and began clerking for J. P. Smith in a gen- 



218 



I'OUTUMT AND lUOnRAl'HICAL RJ<:C()RI). 



oral store. In November, 1879, lie bought out his 
ein|)U>_v('r, ;ui(l ha.s siiici- eaiiii'il on liusiiiess along 
thai line, lie is assisU'd l)y liis two sons: Willier 
.lames, who was horn Keliinaiy 12, 1877, and Al- 
Iteil Keid, burn Oetobei- 18, 1881. 

Volitiiallv a l\o|nil)lii'an, Mr. Monliionicry has 
lii'iMi hoiKHi'il with various (jllici's. lie has served 
as Townshii) Clerk two years, was Supervisor for 
three years, and sinee the 1st v( .laiuiary, 1880, 
with the exception of about three and a-lialf years, 
has lieen I'oslniasler at Moro. lie is now serving 
his seventh year as School Treasurer, and for the 
last twelve yeais has lieen the Republican Central 
CoiDmittecninn of Moro Township. In all public 
olliieshe is failhfid and true, as his long term well 
indicates. On llie I'.lthof December, 1887, he was 
made a Mason in IJethalto Lodge No. lOG, A. !•'. & 
A. M.; in l.s'.Xl was elected Master, and has since 
tilled that position in a creditable and acceptable 
manner. He is a prominent member of the Pres- 
byterian Churcli, and is now serving as Trustee. 



•f^ 



=+ 



\f| AMKS M. SKVIiOLD is now living on sec- 
11 tion 8. Jarvis Township, Madison County, 

Jli where he is classed among the well-to-do 
1^^ citizens of the locality. He was horn in 
this county in 182(1, and is the eldest hut one in 
the family of seven children liom to Samuel and 
Tamer (Pickering) Seybold. The former was born 
in Monroe County, this state, and there lived un- 
til reaching his tenth year, when he .iccom[)anied 
his parents on their removal to this section of Illi- 
nois. He spent the remainder of his life here en- 
gaged III farm pursuits with the exception of a few 
years, when he followed the trade of a carpenter. 
He fought as a soldier in the HIack Hawk War, and 
also rendered his country ellicieut service in the 
War of 1 8 1 2. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Robert- 
Seybold, had six brothers who fought in the Revo- 
lutionary War, serving through the entire seven 
years, and he himself made an attempt to enter 



the ranks, but was not permitted to do so. His 

father, the great-grandfather of our subject, was 
born on the banks of the River Rhine in (lermany, 
and cmigraled to this country with his parents 
when a lad of sixteen yc^ars. He arrived on .\mer- 
ican siiores alone and without friends, as his fa- 
ther and niolhei died while en route. The Sey- 
bold fariiily is an old :uitl proiiiineiil one in (Ills 
county, and there are very few residents in this 
section who can trace their ancestry back as far as 
call our subject. He knows but little of his 
mother's side of the house, however, other than 
that the family originally came from New Eng- 
land and made location in New York. His mother 
grew to womanhood on the banks of the Susipic- 
haiiiia River in the southern part of New York. 

.lames M., of this skclcli, avaih'd himself of t.!ie 
opportunity to altenc] llie subscription school, but 
not realizing to the full the advantages to be 
gained by a good education, diil not appl\ him- 
self as he would otherwise have done. After at- 
taining mature ^cars, however, lu' took up a sys- 
tematic cour.se of study, and is lo-d,iy an intelligent 
and well informed man. He spent his boyhood 
d.ays on his father's farm, being thoroughly trained 
in the pursuit of agriculture, and on the oulbriak 
of the Mexican War, being then in his twenty- 
seventh year, enlisted in Company I, Second Reg- 
iment. He saw inucli active lighting in New 
Mexico, where his coin|)any was stationed <loing 
garrison and guard duty, and for eighleen months 
endured all the hardships of a soldier's life. Ik- 
is now receiving a pension from the (luvernmont 
for the service rendered at that time. Two of his 
brothers served during the late war, but are now 
deceased. 

After his discharge Mr. .Seybold returned lo Illi- 
nois and engaged in farming for a twelvemonth. 
At the ex[)iratioii of that time he began contract- 
ing anil carjientering in and around Troy, and 
this business he successfully carried on until 1889. 
That 3'ear he located upon his present beautiful 
and productive farm, where he has made his home 
sinee. 

.laiiies Seybold was united in marriage in 1854, 
to Miss .Sarah, the daughter of William Mize, who 
was a native of North Carolina, but during his 




WILLIAM MAY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



251 



later years was a resident of Troy, this state. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Seybold were born four children, of 
whom only Laura and William are now living. 
The latter is at present residing in St. Louis, Mo., 
where he is engaged in the tonsorial business. 
Mrs. Seybold departed this life in 1880, and our 
subject was later married to Drusilla, daughter of 
Wilson and Patience (Nowel) Abbott. 

In social affairs our subject is a member of Nel- 
son Lodge No. 25, 1. O. O. F., at Troy, and is also 
connected with Troy Lodge No. 588, A. F. <fc A. 
M. He manifests a coninicndabic interest in evei-y- 
tliing that pertains to the welfare of the commu- 
nity, and in politics is conservative. 



« IVILLIAM MAY. The life of this honored 
\rJ// citizen of Madison County furnishes an 
^/^ exani|)le of what may be accomplished by 
|)ersistence, sagacity and industry. His career in 
its practical results is an encouragement to every 
struggling young man who has ambition, resolu- 
tion and genius for hard work. He was Ixjrn in 
liavaria, Germany, March 3, 1833, and is a son of 
Valentine and Catherine (Stege) May. also natives 
of that country. The [lateriial grandfather, .Jacob 
May, spent his entire life in Bavaria. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to the 
I nited States in 1817, accompanied by tiicir nine 
children. After coming hither, the family was in- 
creased by four additional members, and nine of 
the household are still living. The parents after 
landing in New Orleans made their way up the 
Mississijipi River to St. Louis, which trip consumed 
two months on account of bad weather. Arriving 
in the Mound City in .January, they remained 
there until April, and then coining to Madison 
County, located in Marine Township, where the 
father died when past three-score years and ten. 
His good wife died near the same place at the age 
uf seven t}' years. 

Our subject attended school in Germany until 
reaching his fourteenth ^ear, and after that, when 
8 



boys were usually prosecuting their studies, he was 
working from earl}' morning until late at night in 
order to sui)port iiimself. His was not a nature, 
however, content to struggle continuously in this 
manner, and upon arriving at man's estate, he de- 
termined to make for himself a name and a for- 
tune, in which undertaking he has been successful. 
He remained at home until attaining his majority, 
when he began to make his own way in the world. 
February 14, 1857, he married Miss Elizabeth Wit- 
iner, who was born near her present home, and 
who is a daughter of Henry Wilmcr. To Mr. and 
Mrs. May were born thirteen children, of whom 
eleven are living and named respectively: AVill- 
iam F., Lena, Otto, Lizzie, Anna, Henry, Minnie, 
Louisa, Charles, Albert and Daniel. 

For six years after his marriage, Mr. M.ay was 
engaged in teaming, and in the meantime i)ur- 
chascd eighty acres of land upon which lie settled 
in 1857. This is now included in his present es- 
tate, which is one of the best farms in this |)ortion 
of Illinois. His landed possessions aggregate nine 
hundred and eighty acres, all of which he has ac- 
cumulated through his jjcrsonal exertions. Al- 
though beginning life empty-handed, by industry 
and good management he steadily increased his 
property, and is to-day one of the wealthy farmers 
of Madison County. In politics he is a stanch Re- 
|)ublican, and cast his first vote for .John C. Fre- 
mont. In the Lutheran Church he is a prominent 
member and active worker, ainl has been a gener- 
ous contributor to the same. He is always ready 
to give of his time and means to enterprises calcu- 
lated to pr<jmote the general welfare, and liis suc- 
cess in life has been the result solely of his unaided 
exertions. 




APT. ANTHONY NEUSTADT, now a prom- 
inent lawyer of Collinsville, was an officer 
^Jf^ in the late war. He is one of those com- 
panionable and agreeable men whom it is a pleas- 
ure to know, and one who in all instances ranks 
high in the estimation of the community. His 



2.'i2 



POUTKAIT AND UIOGRAnilCAL RECORD. 



birtli occurred Marcb 25, 1825, inTk)liemia, and lie 
is llie ytiuiigcst of the seven cliildrcn Ixon Iv .1. S. 
ami Lama (IJauer) Neiistadl, Ik)IIi of wlioin si)ent 
tlieir entire lives in JSuIieinia. 

CapUiiii Neusladt is a man of line education, 
and w!is a student in the University in Prague 
when, in 1818, lie determined to emigrate to Amer- 
ica, 'riinl year he set sail, and landing in New 
York City, remained there for ahout three months, 
lie then removed to Allegheny City, l*a., where he 
made his home for one 3'ear, and at the end of 
that tiiuc look u)! the line of march again, this 
time locating in St. J.ouis, Mo. lie lived in the 
Mound Cily until 1851, the date of his advent 
into CoUinsville, with whose interests he has since 
been identified. The first ollicial position which 
he held after coming here was that of United 
States Ganger and Assessor, of which ollice he was 
the iiiciinihent until 18G4. That year he joined 
the ranks of the riiion army as a member of Com- 
pany K, One Hundred and Fort3'-fourtli Illinois 
Infantry, and was mustered in the service as First 
Lieutenant. Siiorlly afterward he was advanced 
U) the rank of Cai)taiii, and as he remained until 
the close of the war, saw much active fighting. 

After the establishnienl of peace, Mr. Neustadt 
returned to CoUinsville and assumed the editor- 
ship of the Beo/jachl(>r and the Aiytts, German and 
English papers. These he conducted for three 
years, but resigned his position at llie expiration 
of that time, as he was re-appointed Assessor 
and (iauger, and shortly afterward was called 
upon to fill the ollice of I'liited States Deputy 
Marshal. These i)ositions he ably filled until about 
187(;, when he received the appt>iiitnient as Con- 
sul to Vancouver, and as such was smnmoiied to 
Wasliinglon. .\fter reaching that city, however, 
he haiKled in his resignation, and returning to 
Madison County, was admitted to practice at the 
liar, and has since been engaged in the practice of 
law. He occupies a high position among the legal 
fraternity in this county, and has been City Attor- 
ney of CoUinsville for more than sixteen years. 

In I8.')2 Capt. Anthony Neustadt and Miss Fan- 
nie Baldwin were united in marriage, and to them 
were born four children. Lewis, who married 
Miss Elllc (lardner, of Ouiiicy, makes his home in 



that city; Charles is a prominent attorne}' in East 
St. Louis; Millie became the wife of (5. Cole lUir- 
roughs, a prominent writer of verse and poetry, of 
Ix)ndon, England; and J. II. is living in LeClaire, 
which adjoins Edwardsville, this county, where he 
is manager of the N. O. Nelson factor}'. 

Captain Neustadt has all his life been a iiicinber 
of the Ivoinan Catholic Church, and in politics 
votes the Republican ticket. He is dee|)ly inter- 
ested in all those movements which will enhance 
the educational and moral [irosperily of the na- 
tion. He has succeeded in worldly affairs, an<l is 
able to surround his family with all of the com- 
forts of life. 

^ P ' 




ENRY VOSS, an intelligent young agiicult- 
urist of I'iii Oak Township, was l)orn on 
the farm near where he is at present resid- 

•^ ing, September 2, 1869. His parents were 
Herman and Sophia Vt)ss, natives of Germany. 
Henry remained under the parental roof until 
April 1, 1804, when he established a home of his 
own. He was married to Miss Tillie liardelmeier, 
also a native of this county and llie daughter of 
Ernest and Mary Hurdelmeier. 

Of the parental family only four members are 
now living, and all make their home in this coun- 
ty. The father of these children was born in Ger- 
many February 1, 182'.), to Nicholas ^'oss, the lat- 
ter of whom died when Herman was two years old. 
His father was again married, and with his second 
wife lived and died in the Fatherland. 

The father of our subject was eighteen years of 
age when he crossed the Atlantic on the sail- 
ing-vessel "Ilenriella" in 1817. The trip, which 
can now be made in a few days, consumed eight 
weeks. After landing on American soil 3dung 
Voss went to Hallimore, .Md., and w.as engaged in 
working on the railrt)ads in that city for a period 
of eight years. Later he found employment on a 
farm, and was thus engaged by the monlli for four 
years. 

While residing in Raltimore the father of our 
subject was married, in 1808, to Miss Sophia Hen- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



253 



sclieii, who wiis born .September 16, 1836, in Ger- 
many; she wiis the danghter of Everharclt Ileii- 
schen, who died in that country when in his 
lifly-liftli year. His widow, Mrs. Mary (Haman) 
HensL'hen, came to America in comi)any witli tliree 
cliiidren and joined tlie other members of her 
household, tliree in number, in Baltimore. Later 
they made their way to this state, wiicre the 
mother's decease occurred at the advanced age of 
ninety years. 

The brothers and sisters of our subject are as 
follows: Lizzie, who married a Mr. Stoltc,and who 
has three children, Harry, Amanda and Ida; Dena, 
the wife of Peter Everett; Lewis, wiiose birtli oc- 
curred August 2',), 1876; and William, born Decem- 
ber 16, 1878. Two years after his marriage the fa- 
ther of our subject came to Illinois and purchased 
one hundred and ten acres of line farming land in 
this county. To this he added from time to time 
until he is now the possessor of a tliree hundred 
acre tract, to which he gives his personal su[)ervis- 
ion, and is meeting with success. Henry Voss makes 
his home on a farm near the old homestead and is 
regarded as one of the (iromising young agricult- 
urists of this township. 



•^^1 



H' 



'.H 



1^ 




'^^T LFRED RICKS, a retired farmer, makes his 
1@/lI|I liome in the village of Worden. He is a 
native of this county, having been born 
in Olive Township, February 14, 1838. 
His father, Lewis Ricks, was born in North Caro- 
lina in the year 1800, and was six years of age 
when his parents removed oveiland to Kentucky, 
where he was reared to manhood in Trigg County. 
In 1833 he came to Madison County and entered 
land from the Government in Olive Township, 
paj'ing ff)r the same 1^1.25 per acre. 

Lewis Ricks erected a log cabin on his new pur- 
chase, 18x20 feet in dimensions, and in this rude 
structure our subject was born a few years later. 
The father remained upon the old homestead, 
which he had transformed into a valuable estate. 



until within four years of his death, when he went 
west to Kansas, living two years with his son 
Alfred, and there departed this life May 30, 1889. 
He was a Whig in politics prior to the organiza- 
tion of the Republican part^', after which he voted 
for its candidates. He was a very popular and 
prominent man and was elected by what was 
known as the American party to the Slate Legis- 
lature. In addition to farming he did much sur- 
veying throughout the county, where he was so 
widely and favorably known. He was one of the 
charter members of the Christian Church in his 
township, in the work of which he always took an 
active yjart. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jona- 
than Ricks, was also born in North Carolina and 
spent the declining years of his life in the Blue 
Grass State, where he followed agricultural pur- 
suits. His father was a native of North Carolina, 
while the lalter's father came from England and 
was killed at the battle of Guilford Court House 
during the Revolutionary War. The maiden 
name of our subject's mother was Mary Anderson; 
she was born in Tennessee in 1806 and died after 
coming to this county, in 1866. She was of En- 
glish and Irish extraction, and by her union with 
Lewis Ricks reared a family of eleven children, of 
whom only three are now living: Temperance, the 
wife of .James Pearce,a resident of Kansas; Virgil, 
residing near the old homestead in this county, 
and Alfred. Joseph met his death during the late 
war, in wliicli he served for three years. 

In his native township, the original of this 
sketch attended his first school, which was conduct- 
ed in a log cabin with the most primitive furnish- 
ings and which was known as the old Ricks' school- 
house. The knowledge thus gained was later added 
to by a course at McKendree College. The mar- 
riage of Mr. Ricks occurred October 18, 1860, at 
which time Miss Maria J. Cooksey became his wife. 
She was born in this county M.ay 10, 1840, and 
was the daughter of Robert Cooksey, a native of 
Greensville County, Va., where his birth occurred 
in 180.5. Mr. Cooksey came to Madison County 
in 1831, and during the years of his residence here 
was well and favorably known. His wife, Mrs. 
Isabel (Bonham) Cooksey, was also a native of the 



254 



I'OliTliAlT AND BlOGUArillCAL Kl-X'OKD. 



01(1 Dominion, and by her niarriiij^c became the 
mother of seven cliikireii. 

After his marriage our sul)jecl located on a raw 
tract of land oiic-linlf mile from the old homestead, 
wliieh he worked hard to place under a good state 
of cultivation. lie still retains possession of this, 
besides owning eighty acres of the home place. 
He retired from the active duties of farm life in 
18i)l,al which time he moved into Worden and 
prepared to spend the rest of his days in ease and 
comfort. 

To our subject and his wife have been born 
two children: R<>l>ert, now a student in Hclhaiiy 
(VV. Va.) College, where he is fitting himself for the 
ministry; and Ida Udora, a type-writer and school 
teacher. .Mr. KicIvS has been a Kepubliean since 
the formation of the party and is greatly' inter- 
ested in its success. Socially, he is a Master Mason, 
holding membership with Lodge No. 177, at Staun- 
ton. The family are members in good sUinding of 
the Christian Church and move in the best society 
in the county. 



*^ 



\f/OIlN IIKUSKR. The career of this gentle- 
man has been marked with enterprise and 
industry, and his well directed efforts have 
been rewarded by the accumulation of a 
goodly propert}', and the machinery and stock 
necessary for carrying on a first-class farm. Mr. 
Heuser is one of those men of whom we have rea- 
son to be proud on account of the example thc3' 
present of industry, morality and good citizen- 
ship, lie is the possessor of tliree hundred and 
forty-three and one-half acres cf land in Pin Oak 
Township, Madison County, where he has lived 
for several decades, and is well known and highly 
respected by the entire community. 

A native of Germany, our subject was born 
May 21, 1819, to ,lasper and Catherine (I)eitcb) 
Ileuser. The jjarents were born in the same place 
as was our subject, and came to the United States 
in the year I860. After having been eighteen 



weeks on the briny deep, Mr. and ^Frs. Ilcuserand 
their family landed in New Orleans, and from 
there came directly to this county, passing through 
St. Louis. Here lhe\- at first made their home 
with a h:ilf-l)rothcr of Mrs. lleiiscr, llciiry Sci- 
bert, who had previously come to this couiilr\ and 
was located on a good farm in Alhamlna Town- 
ship. For some time the father of our subject was 
obliged to rent land, and when about the age of 
fifty years was called to the land of rest. The 
mother died at the home of our subject when in 
her sixty-third year. 

The parents of our subject had lioiii to them a 
family of eight children, four of whom yet survive, 
three boys and one girl. Young Ileuser had to 
work hard in his boyhood days and hence received 
but limited educational advantages, and on the 
death of his fatlier was compelled to help support 
the family. In 1866 the children were enabled 
to purchase the tract of one hundred and twenty 
acres on which our subject now lives, and some 
years later added forty acres more to the original 
purchase. The place is well su|)plicd with suitable 
and substantial buildings, and the abundant crops 
which the well cultivated fields bring forth are 
but a just compensation for the nian^' hours of 
labor which Mr. Ileuser has expended on them. 

March 26, 1874, Mr. Ileuser was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Henrietta Mibaer, who was born 
in JMecklenburg, fiermany, June 27, 1850; she is 
the daughter of Fritz and Christena (Keinke) Mi- 
baer. natives of (lermany, and farmers by occupa- 
tion. The children who have come to bless the 
home of our subject and his estimable wife are, 
Carl Henry, born January 3, 1875; Matilda C, 
June 27, 1878; Anna Mary, October 19, 1880; 
Minnie Lena, June 23, 1881; John F., May 18, 
1887; Rosa II., August 15, 1890,and Henry F. W. 
born May 19, 1881, who died August 6, 1884. 
Soon after the marriage of our subject, he and a 
brother bought out the heirs' interest in the home 
farm, and some time later Mr. Heuser purchased 
that of his brollier, and became sole possessor of 
the tliree hundred and forty-three and one-half 
acres, the majority of which is under cultivation, 
twenty acres being in timber land. The first 
dwelling built on this [ilace was a small log house 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



255 



in wliic'h the family lived until 1873, when a 
more commodious and comfortable abode was 
erected. Mr. Heuser is a Democrat in politics and 
cast his first vote in 1872. Our subject, his wife 
and the older members of the family are members 
of the Lutheran Church. 






^^OTTLIEB SCIITTMACHER. The village of 
II ,— -, Peters has its full quota of enterprising, 
^^J thorough going business men, among whom 
none is better liked than our subject. lie is a 
native of Germany, and was born in Wurtemberg, 
December 29, 1853. He is the son of .John ,T. Schu- 
macher, also a native of that country, where he 
was a prominent contractor and builder. The fa- 
ther spent his entire life in his native land, pass- 
ing away when in his fifty-sixth year. His wife 
was prior to her marriage Wilhelmina Me3'er. She 
too was of German birth and is now making her 
home in tliat country at an advanced age. 

Gottlieb, of this sketch, had one brother and a 
sister, the latter of whom is deceased. He re- 
mained under the parental roof until seventeen 
years of age. when he determined to come to the 
United States, and setting sail from Bremen, was 
seventeen days in making the passage to New 
York City. Young Schumacher remained in the 
Empire State for about two years working by the 
month as a farm hand, after which he went to 
Warren County, N. .7., and there found emplo}'- 
ment as a clerk in a general store. After three years 
thus employed he came overland to this state, and 
renting property in St. Chiir County, engaged in 
farm pursuits. He thus continued for five years 
when he began working for the well known pro- 
prietor of the Ilorsc Shoe Resort, William Moellen- 
brook. 

Our subject came to the village of Peters in 
1889, where he was m.arried .July 28, 1889, to Mrs. 
Elizabeth Shirmer, who w.as also a native of Ger- 
many; she was only two years of age when she was 
brought to America by her parents, who first lo- 



cated in St. Louis. After his marriage Mr. Schu- 
macher opened the general store which he has since 
conducted, and besides this enterprise is the owner 
of forty-two lots in the village, together with nu- 
merous houses. He has been very prosperous, and 
recently platted an addition to the village. 

The original of this sketch is an active Demo- 
crat in politics, and while residing in Glen Carbon 
was a member of the Village Board one year. 
At different times he was a member of the Board 
of Trustees and at the present time is Treasurer. 
Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, belonging to 
Lodge No. 340, in the .above place, and is also 
connected with Treubund No. 64, of Pvdwards- 
ville. He is a valued member of St. Peter's Luth- 
eran Church and is highly regarded by all who 
know him. 

The wife of our subject occupies the responsible 
position of Postmistress of Peters, having been ap- 
pointed during the administration of General Har- 
rison. Mr. Schumacher is a successful business 
man and throughout his entire life has exhibited 
great talent in that direction. Although 3'oung in 
years lie is looked upon as the father of Peters, in 
the upbuilding of which he has aided so greatly. 
Being well-to-do, he is enabled to exercise his 
benevolent spirit and is alwa^'S read}' to aid the 
deserving and industrious. •■ 



i****^ 



=1*>5'**'? 






/^USTAV F. BROCKMEIER. Among the 
(11 f-—^ successful agriculturists who have contrib- 
^V^i(] utcd niatprially to the cultivation and de- 
velopment of Edwardsville Township, we may 
well mention the name just given, for no one 
is better known for industry and devotion to 
duty, as well as for the intelligent manage- 
ment of his affairs, than Gustav lirockmeier. 
He was born on the 3d of August, 1867, in 
tliis county. His father, Ilenr}'. was born De- 
cember 5, 1828, in Prussia, and came to the United 
States in 1847, setting sail from Bremen with an 
I older sister. Thej- were eleven long weeks on 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOfSRAPIIlCAL RECORD. 



tlic ocean, Init arrivi'il :U l;ist in l'liil:iili-l|>liia, 
wliere tlicy spent scvcrnl numtlis visiting two of 
tlicir sistci-s. wiio had iirfvionsiy eonie to this 
country. Tlic father of oni snhjoet worked by 
the month on a farm, and tlien oanio to I'lc.isant 
Ridge, this county, where he worked three years 
as a farmer's lioy for (Jeorge Uarnsliack. He tlien 
rented a small farm for himself, his mother and 
sister keeping house for him; Iiis father died soon 
after coming to this state. 

Henry Urockmeier was married to Miss Dora 
Delerding, wlio became tiie mother of eight chil- 
dren, of whom our subject w.as the fourtii in order 
of birth. Five are still living. The mother died 
•luly 1!», lK7l,and tiie father was again married, 
April IS, 1872, to Miss Dina Samns. By her he 
had three children, two now deceased. Edward, 
tlie youngest, is living on the farm with his 
mother. After liis first marriage the father pur- 
chased a farm on Pleasant Ridge, where he lived 
for two years. lie then sold out and bought a 
larger farm in Ft. Kusscll Township, where lie re- 
mained iiiilil 18C7, when he reinovod to where 
our subject now resides, and iiere |Mircliased three 
liiindi'cd acres of land. He liecaiiie one of tlie 
most prosperous farmers of this section, and at 
the time of bis deatii, April 28, 189.'?, owned over 
seven liuiidred acres of line land. He held sev- 
eral local oHices at different times, and was Su- 
pervisor and Highway Commissioner for several 
years. 

Our subject's step-mother came from the Old 
Country alone when nineteen years of age, spend- 
ing only two weeks on the ocean. She is one of 
four children liorn to her parents, her sister being 
Minnie Kromer, who came to this country about 
seven years previous to her journey, and who is also 
living in this counly. llcr parents lived and died 
in Hanover, Germany, and were devoted members 
«»f the I'^vangelical Church. Mr. Brockmeier and 
his estimable wife also belong to the Evangelical 
S<icietvand helped to build the church and school- 
house, which is known all through the county as 
the Hrockmeier Church and School. 

Mr. BriM'kmeier still occupies the old home his 
parents worked so hard to obUiiii, and reveres the 
memory of that father and mother who loved and 



cured fur liiiii in his childlioDil, and is trying to 
follow their teachings and example in all things. 
He IS a good Republican, but has never aspired 
to any political ollice, preferring to devote his 
time and attention to his private affairs. 






$ EORfi E BODA. The gentleman with wlio.se 
II (5w' "■'""' ^^^ introduce this sketch has wit- 
?^J| nessed and materially assisted in the growth 
and development of Madison County, and more 
especially of Hainel Township, of whii-h place he 
is a native, his birth occurring here October 21, 
1818. His family is an old .and prominent one in 
this section, and our subject as one of it.s represen- 
tatives has attjiined a high place among its best 
farmers. 

The original of this sketch is the sou of Louis 
Boda, whose history will be found <in another page 
in this book. Oeorge reniaineil under the parental 
roof until his marriage, in the ineantinie having 
acqnired a fair education in the common schools. 
He w.as thoroughly trained to farm pursuits, so 
that when ready to begin life for himself he was 
competent to manage a farm in a iirolitable man- 
ner. The lady to whom he was united October 
18, 1872, was Miss Sophia Smith, a native of Tifiy, 
this county, and the daughter of Frederick and 
Sophia Smith, natives of (Jermaiiy. The parents 
of Mrs. Boda came to the I'nited St.'ites in KS.OS, 
locating in Troy, where they spent the remaining 
years of their lives. 

There has been born to our subject and his 
wife a large family, numbering ten childi-en, viz.: 
Henry, Minnie, I^ouis, William, Fred, Charles. I.ii- 
einda, .lohn. Louisa and .\nna. Mr. l?oda has al- 
waj's resided upon his present f.ariii, which at the 
time of purchasing included one hundred acres. 
He was ver}' ))rosi)erous in his chosen vocation, 
and as time went on added to his property until 
now he has an estate including one hundred .•iiid 
eighty acres, pleasantly located just three-quarters 
of a mile from Fruit Station. It bears all llii> ini- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



257 



in-ovements in the way of buildings and machinery 
which would be found upon tlie place of a wide- 
awake and progressive man, and Mr. Boda is each 
year adding to his income. In politics he is a Re- 
publican, having cast his first vote for General 
Grant. He stands well witli every class in the 
community, where he lias many warm friends. 






..^m 



zr 



:£) 



^ 



'RNST BARDELMEIER. The subject of 
this short sketch is a progressive farmer re- 

' siding in Hamel Township, where he has a 

fine estate comprising over two hundred acres. He 
is a native of Germany, having been born in 
Prussia, Eebiuary 22, 18.39, and is tlie son of .Jacob 
and Mar}' (Hurstman) liardelmeier. The parents 
were also natives of the Eatherland, and died in 
the above place at the respective ages of fort}-- 
eiglit and fifty-three years. 

The original of this sketch had seven brothers 
and sisters, of wliom only one brother survives. 
Ernst crossed the Atlantic for the New World in 
IS-OG, embarking from Bremen, and was five weeks 
and two daj^s in making the passage. He landed 
in Baltimore, and after a stay of two daj-s in that 
city borrowed enougli money to take him to Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, and engaged to work on a dairy 
farm near that citj' for $.5 per montli. 

In the spring ot 18,57 young Bardelmeier came 
to Illinois, and for three years worked in the vicin- 
ity of what is now his valuable farm, first receiv- 
ing as his wages $8 and later f 12 per month. Ho 
was married .January 13, 1860, to Miss Marj- Take, 
who was born in St. Louis, October 17, 1841. Their 
union has resulted in the birth of sixteen children, 
six of whom are living. Henry W. married I<]mma 
Feldmeyer and has a son and daughter; Edward C. 
is at home; .Julius married Sophia Horsto; Minnie 
D. is the wife of George Handlon; Tillie became 
Mrs. Henry Vass, and .lulia, the youngest, is at 
home witli Iter parents. 

Mr. Bardelmeier continued to work for his fa- 



ther-in-law for one year after his marriage, after 
which he rented land from .John A. Prickett for a 
period of five years. He later purchased a tract of 
two hundred acres, upon which stood a little house 
and a rude structure which served as a barn. He 
immediately set about cultivating the land, erect- 
ing the needful buildings, and is to-day looked 
upon bj' the farming community as one of its 
most enterprising and successful members. 

In politics our subject never fails to cast a vote 
for Ive|)ublican candidates, and lias all his life been 
an ardent admirer of Abraham Lincoln, who re- 
ceived his first vote. He has held the position of 
Road Commissioner for two 3'ears, the duties of 
which he has discharged in a most creditable and 
satisfactory manner. Mr. Bardelmeier and all his 
family are devoted members of the Evangelical 
Church. Oursubject has aided very materiallj' in 
the building of churches in this vicinity and with 
his estimable wife, is active in all good works. 



Gr 



^^111!^^, 



J0 



e:r 



''?%1III^' 



^ 



^■ .--,f /RITZ REINKE. This ^oung and prosperous 
— ^(;\^ agriculturist is a representative of one of 
_\ the oldest and best families of Madison 
County. He is a native of Pin Oak Township, 
and his birth occurred December 2, 1873. The f.a- 
ther and mother of our subject, Fritz and Mary 
(Heuser) Reinke, were natives of Germany. They 
were farmers by occupation and came to this coun- 
ty in the '40s, when the land round .about was but 
little cultivated. The father was called to the land 
of rest in August, 1893, when in his fifty-seventh 
j'ear, leaving a fine estate of four hundred and 
eighty-eight acres, which tract is tlie home of our 
subject. 

The mother lives on the old homestead and is a 
sister of -John Heuser, a sketch of whom the reader 
will find on another page of this Recokd. She 
became the mother of six children, three sons and 
three daughters, of whom our subject is the fourth. 
His brothers are both deceased, and of his sisters 



258 



rORTRAlT ANH UIOnRAnilCAL IJKCORP. 



we make the fi>ll(>wiiii; mcntidii: l'.iimi;i miinicd 
lIciMV Sniilli, aiiil tliov liiivp one daiiylilor; M:ii v 
mill Miniiio are liotli .'it iHHiie with their inolher. 

Frity. I\eiiii<e, Sr., on liK.'iliiiLj here at oMoe pur- 
chased a .small estate on whii-li to eomiiienee his 
eliciseii voi'.'ilioii, and from time to lime was en- 
abled to add lt> it imtil lie hee.'ime the possessor of 
the lino estate wliii'h is now earried on by our suli- 
jeet and his hrolher-in-law, Mr. Smith. The fa- 
ther was a hard workini; man and was deservinj; 
(if the respect conferred upon him as one of the 
most useful mcmhers of the community. lie wns 
ft self-made man. just and lionorabic in all things, 
and was tjenerons with his lari^e moans in doing 
good to all mankind. His death was mourned by 
a large circle of friends and aciiuaintanccs, for he 
was greatly loved throughout the entire commu- 
nity. Politically he was a Donuicrat, and was al- 
ways stanch in the support of the candidates of 
that party. 

The subject <.)f this sketch, tlu>ugli young in 
years, has a splendid future before him, for he is 
now one of the most skillful and prosperous farni- 
ois in the township, carrying on the old home- 
stead with good judgment and ability. lie re- 
ceived a gootl education in the common schools of 
the neiglilH>rliood and early assisted his father in 
the duties of the farm, becoming thoroughly fam- 
iliar with them. I'olitically, he is a stalwart and 
true DeiiKH'rat. 




¥ 



^»— TKi:i»F.KirK C. 1IKNTIE.S is the owner of 
throe hundred and twenty-four broad acres 
of land, which is iindor thorough tillage 
anil beai-s a full lino of adeipiato improvements. 
Conrad llonties, the father of our subject, w.as 
l»orn in ITSt!. in (Jermany. and departed this life 
in 18(>(i. Frederick C. also <-lain)s the Fatherland 
as his native homo, and was Imrn October 13. 1818. 
He learned the trade of a blacksmith when quite 
VoutiL;. and this he followed until cominii to 



.\iiu'iica in l.s|(i. Lanilini; in New ( hieaiis, vouni; 
llentio remained in that city for about three 
montiis and tlien made his way to .St. I.ouis, where 
he obt-ained a i>osition as lireman on a steamboat 
running from Peru to St. Louis. Ho also'-firod" 
on a boat plying between Pitt.sburg and Cincin- 
nati for two years, and al the end of that time 
purchased a loam and wagon anil engaged in 
hauling freight, etc. This he carried on until 
18."it, when ho came to Marine Township, Madison 
County, renting land for the lirst three years from 
Dr. liraclius and paying for the same ^'2 per acre. 

After his farm experience our subject purchased 
three acres in the village and erected a four-room 
brick house. In ISlS'.Mie routed a (luartcr-section 
of land owned by \:ilcntino Vollratli, and after 
spending two years on this farm he had .saved 
enough to purchase forty acres, on which stood a 
little frame house. This he repaired and lived in 
for about two years. I^ter he was enabled to add 
forty acres to his original tract and then erected a 
more suitable dwelling. 

In 1886 Mr. Ilentios bought one hundred and 
fourteen acres cast of Marine, upon which one of 
his sons now resides, and later became the owner 
of one hundred and seventy acres on section ".';?. 
He carried on the work of his farm until 18iilt, 
when he retired, and is now juvpared to take life 
easy and enjoy the fruits of his early toil and in- 
dustry. 

Mr. Ilentios was married Deceinber (!, 1818, to 
Miss Catherine, daughter of Christian and Mar- 
garet A. Meyer, natives of tJerinany. Mr. Meyer 
emigrated to America in early life and died near 
Spiinglield, Mo., in 1817. The mother of Mi-s. 
Ilentios was Inirn in 1781. and lived until I8,'):?. 
when she passed to the land beyond. Catherine 
M. w.as born in t^erinany. and crossed the Atlantic 
in 18-I,'). I!y her union with our subject there 
wore Ixirn .seven children, of whom five are living. 
Frederick J., born in 18."i I. married Mary . I linker 
and lives in this township; Anna n..lmrn in 18ii3, 
is at home with her parents; Dora S., born in 18."i5, 
married William Koop|)o; .Sophia C.,horn in 18,'i8, 
married Henry l>. Wetzel, and Catherine W.,lH>rn 
in lS(;o, is also at home. Mary C. died in 18.il, 
and lleiuN K. in 18.*<7. Mr. Henties w.as married 



PORTUAIT AND JilOGUAl'UICAL RECORD. 



to Miss Ileiii'ifitta Kaston, who died without issue. 
In |)()liU('s Mr. Ilciitie.s i.s a ti'uo-biue Ucpuhiican. 
Ilo held Ihf ollico of Road Commissioner for three 
years and ofeiipics a liigh place in tlie esteem of 
his nci<^hl)ors and numerous friends. He is a 
iiiirnlicr of the Kvanj^elical Cliurfii and aided in 
the t'rcction of the liuiiilin^^ in liiis township. 





iOP.ERT KAMM, wiio occupies tiie iionored 
position of I'ostm.astcr of Hij^liiand, was 
appointed to tliat ollice under tlie present 
\\@administration, lie being a strong Demo- 
crat in politics, and a leader of his part3' in this 
section. Mr. Kamm was l)orn on a farm tliree 
miles southwest of this city .January 19, 18G(), and 
is the son of Casper Kanini, a native of Switzer- 
land, who crossed liic Atlantic for the New World 
in 1847. 

'I'lie |iaternal grandpaicnts of our subject, Fred- 
erick and Catlierine Kamm, were also born in 
Switzerland, and tlie former dei)arted this life in 
St. Jacob Township, February .3, 1804. Ilis good 
wife is .still living, having just passed her eighty- 
first birthd.aj'. They were married in 1832 and 
lived happily together for a |)eriod of sixty-two 
years. 

Casper Kamm resided on the farm until 1868, 
when he iiujvod into the cit^y and opened up a 
butcher shop, conducting the same business for a 
quarter of a century. lie retired in 1893, having 
acquired a handsome fortune, and was succeeded 
in the business by our subject; the latter was the 
eldest of the jiarcnlal family of eight children, 
four of whom survive. Julius is a traveling sales- 
man for n condensed milk factory; William is en- 
gaged as a blacksmith in Rockville, Mo., and Julia 
E. resides at home with her parenls. 

Robert Kamm received his education in the 
Highland schools, and from the age of fourteen 
until receiving liis appointment as Po.stniaster was 



2r)'J 

g 
engaged in the butcher business. For m.-iny year 

he drove a wagon through the country, thus siqi- 

plying the |)eople with fresh meats, and in the fall 

of 1893 lie succeeded his father in the business. 

Our sul)jecl h.as been a life-long Democrat, but 
was never an oflice holder until receiving his ap- 
pointment under the present administration. He 
was opposed at this time }>y an old D<!mocratic 
wheel horse, who was a man of wealth and long a 
leader in the Democratic party, and the victory 
which he thus gained over him showed that he 
possessed the good will of the greater number. 

The lady to whom Mr. Kamm was married 
March 20, 1883, was Miss Leon ie Meyer, a native 
of this city, and to them have been born six chil- 
dren, Leonie, Paulina, Nelson, Oliver, Willjer an<l 
Rufus. Our sul)ject is one of tlic most popular 
young men in the county, and sociall}' belongs 
to the Turners' and Shooting Societies. 






,« ftlLLIAM P. EATON, who is engaged in 
\^j// cultivating the old Eaton homestead of 
^>^ two hundred and fifty acres lr>cated in 
Ilamel Township, is one of the prominent and in- 
lluential citizens of Madison County. He was 
born in Ivlwardsvillc, March 27, 1840, and is the 
son of the Ilrjii. Henry K. Eaton, who in turn was 
the son of Thomas and Sarah (King) Eaton. The 
grandfather was born in Pennsylvania, and was 
descended from Harry V.iiUm, whose birth <jccurred 
in Wales in 17.00. He cros.sed the Atlantic ten 
j'ears later in compan}' with his |)arents, and on 
the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, served as 
a Continental soldier. The King family are en- 
abled to trace their ancestry back to 1030, and 
have a complete record of the settlement in Amer- 
ica, the first representatives locating in Salem, 
Mass. 

About the year 1774, our subject's great-grand- 
father King went by the water route to New Or- 
leans, then up the Mississippi River to Adams 
County, Miss., where the captain of the vessel 



2Gn 



P(1RTRAIT AND RIOr.RAPHICAL RKCORD. 



Ii:ul a land i^iaiit uf Iwi'iil y-li vc thuiisaiul acifs. 
lU'ir he localctl. ninl his (Icscciulant.^, dowii lo tin* 
finmdfallior of our siiltject, lived and dicil at Uial 
pl.ice. 

Tlio maiden name of Hcniv K. Ivitou's wife was 
Kli/.alx'tli ('. I'oint'iy. Slio was horn and roariMl in 
Konlncky, lior doatli occniiinir in lliis stale wlion 
in luT sixly-lldrd year. She lieeiirne the mother 
of ei;;lit children, live of whom are still living. 
Her parent-s were George .and Sarah (Forward) 
I'omery, natives of the IJIne (irass Stale, nnd so 
far as is known spent their entire lives there. 

\\'illiam P., of tiiis skeleh, reTnained at homo 
until reacliin^' his seveTiteentli year, when he wa.s 
sent to MeKendree College at Leiianon, III., in or- 
der to complete iiis education. Later, on the out- 
break of the Civil War, he enlisted and served 
three years, and on the ees.sation of hostilities re- 
turned to the home farm, wiiere lie has ever since 
lived, lie was married Oclolier 1, 1882, to Miss 
K. A. lllaekhurn, who was horn in this county, and 
who is the daughter of Samuel and Martha Hlack- 
l)urn, natives of the North of Ireland. The father 
and mother of Mrs. Eaton came to the United States 
in 1850 and 1852 respectively, locating in Madison 
Cf)unty, where the father's death oeeurred in 186:). 
His good wife is still living, and makes her home 
near the farm of oursuhjeol. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Katon has l)eoii granted a 
family of five children: Henry 15., William .1., 
.loseph K., Samuel W. and lienjainin 1'. After 
the death of his father, our suliject fell heir to the 
homestead. Here he is engaged in mixed agricult- 
ure and is recognized as one the prominent citi- 
zens of the community. 

William 1'. Katon enlisted in the army August 
15, 18f>2,in Company II, One Hundred and Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry. He partici|)ated in all 
the engagements in which his regiment took part, 
and on the close of the war was honorably dis- 
charged at Springfield, August 0, 18(>5. He is 
now a member of the (Jrand Army post in Kd- 
wardsville, where he also holds membership with 
Lodge No. 9'.l, A. F. it A. M. For the past four 
years lie has lieen connected with the Old .Settlers' 
.Stx-iety, of which he was elected President at their 
last meeting, .Mine G, 18111. lie li;us tilled with 



hdimr and trust iiiaiiy of the local otlices, such as 
.Supervisor, etc., and h.as ever manifested a high 
degree of public spirit, iiitt'iesting hiniself in every 
iiioveineiit which wouhl tend to advance the wel- 
fare of his community. In religious alT.airs he at- 
tends the Methodist ICpiscopal Chiireh, while liis 
good wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
In politics Mr. Katon is a standi Republican. 



1;NKV F. DANKKNIJUINd is carrying on 
iff )|i general fanning on section 28, T'in Oak 
Township, where he has one hundred and 
forty-seven acres of excellently tilled land, 
on which stand all the needful buildings and a 
handsome residence. He was born in St. Louis, 
Mo., ,luly II, 1850, and is the son of Fred H. and 
Sophia (l)ettnier) Dankenbring. 

The father of our subject was born in Hanover, 
(Jermany, and came to the United Slates in 181.3, 
landing lirst in New Orleans, whence he journeyed 
up the Mississi])pi River to St. Louis. For the 
succeeding ten years he was employed on the 
river as a pilot on a stcanihoat, and in 1854 re- 
moved to this county, where he settled down to 
farm pursuits, renting land in Pin Oak Township, 
which he cultivated to good advantage. He was 
residing on this tract at the time of his decease, 
when in his forty-fourth year. His wife, Mrs. 
.Sophia Dankenbring, w.as also a native of Hanover, 
and accompanied her husband on his various re- 
movals, dying in this county when only thirty- 
three years old. She reared a family of eight 
children, all of whom are deceased with the excep- 
tion of one. 

After the decease of his father, Henry 1'"., of this 
sketch, worked out by the month, and in this way 
earned money enough to rent a farm, on which he 
located soon after his marriage. That event took 
place March 8, 1871, at which time Mrs. Helena 
Detmer, who was born in St. Lonis, Mo., became 
his wife. She was the daughter of William and 
Sophia ( Aldrup) Take, and by her union with Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND mOGUAPIIJCAL RKCOIxM). 



2(11 



Dankenhrinji heramc the motliprof eight children, 
of whom those living :iro: Ida V. .1., born in 1872; 
Esther L. S., in 1871; L^dia S., in 187H; Harry R., 
in 187G; Klanora L., in 188(1; and William A., in 
1882. Mrs. Dankenbring had three eliildren by 
her first marriage. 

The farm njion which onr sulijcct first located 
included one hundred and six acres of wild land. 
He worked early and late to clear and improve it, 
and since the additions made to it, is the owner 
of a goodly amount of property, which liis knowl- 
edge of .agriculture enables him to cultivate in 
a very profitable manner. He is a stanch Dem- 
ocrat in jjolitics, although he cast his first vote for 
General Grant. Mr. Dankenbring has served as 
Highway Commissioner for the past nine years, 
and fur two 3pais w.as Director of the School 
Board, in both of which cilices he a<f|iiitled him- 
self in n creditable manner. 



\¥^; R E D E R K' E I! (m M owns over three 
"-to^ hundred .acres of fine land in Edwardsville 
_[ " Township, besides the Pleasant Ridge farm, 
which com|)rises eighty acres, and one hundred 
acres in Ft. Russell Township. He is a native of 
Germany, and was born near Hanover, January 
25, 181f;. lie is the son of Frederick W. .and M.ary 
(Brown) Bohm, also natives of the Fatherland, 
who came to the United States about 1844. 

The parents of our subject first located in St. 
Louis, Mo., where they were cai'cd for by Frederick 
of this sketch, who later brought them to this 
county, and located on Pleasant Ridge, where he 
purch.asod a tillable farm. There the elder Mr. and 
Mrs. Bohm passed the remainder of their lives, the 
father dying when sixty-three years of age, and 
the mother when nearly seventy. Their family in- 
cluded six children, one .son and five daughters. 
All of the daughters are deceased but one, Mary, 
who makes her home in Troy, this county. 

The original of this sketch learned the trade of 
a carpenter in German^'. Determining to come 



to the New World, he hoarded .a sniling-vessci in 
the winter of 18;58-;j!), whicli landed hi)n in New 
Orleans after a stormy passage of nine weeks and 
tiirec days. From the Crescent City he went by 
the water route to St. Louis, and was three weeks 
in making that journey. His first work in his new 
home was as a farm hand in the Mound (^ity. 
This occupation he followed for three months, and 
was then variously employed until 18r)0. 

In the above year Mr. Bohm entered the Gov- 
ernment Arsenal as carriage maker under Maj. 
William H. Bell, who afterward became his truest 
friend. He w.as thus occupied in St. Louis for 
seventeen years, and during that time was married 
to Miss Sophia Blunie, the date thereof being Feb- 
ruary 7, 184 7. The lady was also a native of Ger- 
many, and the daughter of Henry and Mary 
Blume, who were old school teachers in the Father- 
land, and the former also followed preaching on 
Sund.ays. Mrs. Blume departed this life when the 
wife of our subject was quite small, and she was 
brought to America by her father about 1844. 
They made their home near St. Louis on a farm, 
where Mr. Blume died when advanced in years. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Rohm has been born a family 
of four children, two of whom are deceased. 
Louis F. departed this life when twenty-four years 
of age; he was a finely educated young man, an ac- 
complished musician, and the last two yeai'S of his 
life were spent in teaching school. William H., the 
second son, died when an infant of eighteen montlis. 
William II. (second) married Emma Schmidt, 
and they have four sons living. He is one of the 
most prominent agriculturists of this township, and 
the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of 
beautifully cultivated land. The youngest child 
of our subject is Sophia, now Mrs. William Stoken. 

After his union with Miss Blume, our subject 
continued to work in the arsenal for ten years, 
and in the spring of 1867 he came to this county, 
m(jving on the farm in Pleasant Ridge, where 
he made his home for twelve years. In the mean- 
time, however, he purchased one hundred acres 
near that pl.ace, and later bought his present home. 
This place compri-ses three hundred acres and is 
cultivated and man.aged in such a manner as to 
plainly indicate the progressive spirit and good 



262 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



jiulgmenl of it.s owiior. Ili' loocivi'd liis start in 
life by saving every dollar wiiieli was not needed 
in procuring the actnal necessities of life, and 
ever since engnging in farming lie has been very 
successful. 

Frederick Holini lias served his fellow-townsmen 
as Highway Commissioner for six years, and for 
nearly a quarter of a century has been a member 
of the School Hoard. His entire family are con- 
nected with the German Methodist Episcopal 
Church uikI i;iiiU .•inioiig the best residents of this 
section. 

• — ^^^^ c^ — • 



^^UGUST WILKENING, Supervisor of 
(@//Jll Hamcl Township, is also a prominent far- 
mer, owning two hundred and eighty 
acres of land on section 23, besides a tract 
of two hundred and eighty acres located in Moiit- 
gonierv County. He has ever borne liis i)arl in the 
upbuilding of the county's best interests, and is 
highly respected tiirougliout tlie conuiuinily, where 
he has a host of warm friends and acqiiaiiitances. 

Our subject was born in ( HMiuany, February 24, 
1M;!7. and is the son of Henry II. and Kngel (H.ase- 
man ) Wiikeiiing, also natives of Hit' Fatherland, who 
came to the United States in IS.M. Landing in 
New York after a voyage of seven weeks, the elder 
Mr. and Mrs. Wilkening made their w.ay directly 
to Ohio, and there made their home until 18.57, 
the year of their advent into this county. August 
learned the trade of a cooper in Cincinnati, and 
remained there until 185'.), when he came to Mad- 
ison County, where he has since resided. His 
father was a farmer by occuiiation and died when 
over seventy-four years of age. 

Our subject had live brothers and sisters, but 
only two of the family survive. He was given a 
fair education in his native land, and soon after 
coming to America became coiivei-sant with the 
English language. .lune 7, 18C;5, he w.as married 
to Miss .Sophia Grote, who was horn in Germany, 
December 2, IHll. Mrs. Wilkening was the 
daughter of Philip ami Elizabeth ( Drale) Grote, 
who crossed the Atlantic in 184G, landing in New 



Orleans, wlience they made their way up the Mis- 
sissi|)pi to St. Louis. They remained in that city 
for about three years, and then crossed the line 
into Illinois and spent the remainder of their lives 
in this cttunty. 

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkening have a family of four 
children: Amelia, Augusta, Sophia and Louis. 
They have been given the best advantages for ob- 
taining an education, and are bright and intelli- 
gent. Soon after his union with Miss Grote, our 
subject rented a tract of forty acres, which lie cul- 
tivated in such an admirable and successful man- 
ner that he was soon enable<l to purch.ase propertj' 
and is now the possessor of a fine estate in this 
county .'ind a vahuible farm in Montgomery 
County. He is active and progressive, strictly 
honorable in every respect, as his past life indi- 
cates. 

In politics Mr. Wilkening is a Republican and 
cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He has 
been called upon to fill various ollieial positions, 
and in 1889 was elected Township Supervisor, 
which ollice he has held ever since. He h.as ren- 
dered ellicient service as a member of the School 
Hoard, and for man^- years has been iclentified 
with the Evangelical Church. Evcrj' enterprise 
tending in any way to imi»rove the commnnily 
finds hearty su|)p(>rt in him, and he is lioiKued 
wherever known as an upright, kiii<l-heartf(l :iihI 
thoughtful man. 



- -^ 



M>^^<\ 



^ ACOB WI LLI, one of the largest and wealth- 
iest farmers in St.. ,lacob Township, was 
l)orn in the canton of St. Carl, Switzerland, 
' June 10, 1825, and is the son of Joseph 
Willi, also a native of that country, where he car- 
ried on the occupation of a farmer. Jacob, of this 
sketch, first learned the trade of a blacksmith in 
his early life and carried on that business in his 
native land until 1819, when he decided to try his 
fortunes in the New World. 

Mr. Willi was married the same year in which he 
set sail to Miss Lena llilby, wh<> acctuiipanied him 
to America, the j'oung couple locating first in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



263 



Higliland, where Mi-. Willi worked at his trade for 
a time. March I, 1850, however, he came to St. 
Jacob and here erected the second building in the 
place, in which he established a blacksmith shop 
and followed his trade for a period of sixteen years. 
By hard work and economy he had saved enough to 
purchase a tract of land, which he did in 1864, be- 
coming the proprietor of a portion of his present 
fine estate, which is located a half-mile from the 
village of St. Jacob. lie was prosperous from the 
atari, and now owns more than six hundred acres 
and is thus Considered one of the wealthiest citi- 
zens in the township. 

In 1865 our subject moved upon his farm and 
has lived retired for the last few years, leaving the 
management of his estate to his sons, who are ca- 
pable and eflicient young men. He has for years 
been one of the most extensive stock-raisers in the 
township, having on his place many valuable thor- 
oughbred animals. In politics Mr. AVilli is a pro- 
nounced Democrat and for many years served his 
district as School Director and Highway Commis- 
sioner. He is a Catholic in religion, in which faith 
his children have been carefully trained. 

Mrs. Willi departed this life Sei)tember 1, 1884, 
leaving three sons and one daughter. John W., 
the eldest, was educated at Metropolis, where he 
spent two years; he is now living on the old home- 
stead, assisting in its management; Jacob, the next 
in order of birth, resides at home, as does also 
Charles Edward, who completed his studies in the 
schools of St. Louis.. He was emplo3-ed as a teacher 
for four years, and since his marriage to Miss 
Emma Hammer, of Highland, has resided on his 
father's farm. Clarinda, a most estimable and ac- 
complished young lad}', is also at home. 



-=^=^>^^<^ 



IIARLES W. WILKINS, a real-estate dealer 
in Collinsville, was born in Sussex County, 
V Del., in 18.33, and was the second in order 
of birth of the children born to Tliomas and Mary 
(Derrickson) Wilkins, both of whom were natives 
of that state. He w.as three years of .age when his 
mother died, and at that time he was taken by his 




father on his removal to near Chillicothe, Ohio. 
There he was again married, and there made his 
home for four years, when, in 1841, we find him in 
Madison County, this state. Here our subject has 
ever since resided. His father departed this life 
in Belleville in 1849, dying of that dread disease, 
cholera. 

Charles W. Wilkins attended the public schools 
of Collinsville for ten years at intervals, as his fa- 
ther was a poor man and as clothing and books 
were hard to obtain. However, he laid the founda- 
tion for a good education, to which he has since 
added a good understanding of business, and this 
he has put to valuable use. 

AVlien a lad of thirteen years of age our subject 
began to make his own wa}' in the world, working 
out as a farm laborer during the summer months, 
and through the winter was engaged in manufac- 
turing cow bells; after finishing his ap|)rcn1iccship 
in that line of work he engaged in their manufac- 
ture on his own account. He later sold out the 
business and opened up a mercantile establishment 
in Collinsville. This he successfully conducted for 
a quarter of a century, disjjosing of his store in 
order to engage in the insurance business, and for 
five years represented some of the largest and most 
reliable companies in the United States. He then 
became a photogr,Tphcr, later handled patent rights, 
and is now engaged in the real-estate business, in 
which he is meeting with success. He is possessed 
of shrewd judgment and tact, and his enterprising 
character, together with honest dealing, hasbrougiit 
him the good will of his large circle of acquaint- 
ances and has given him an established reputation 
among the prominent business men of the city. 

Ciiarles W. Wilkins was married in 1857 to Miss 
Amanda M., daughter of Solomon and Ella Slay- 
back, natives of Kentucky. Of their union were 
born seven children, of whom two are now living, 
William and Ella. Two died in infancy, and Clar- 
ence, Chase and Albert departed this life after 
reaching mature years. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins are 
members in good standing of the Presbyterian 
Church, with which they have been connected for 
many years. Socially, the former belongs to Col- 
linsville Lodge No. 712, A. F. <fe A. M., Madison 
Lodge No. 43, I. O. O. F., and Lodge No. 1566, K. 



'.')'> I 



rctlMKAIT AND IU( »( ; K Al'l 1 IC A I. KKCOKD. 



(if II., of ('<illMi>villi'. Allluiiii;li laKiui; :iii .•ulivi- ' 
p.'trt ill liH-!il iilTjiiis (iiir .siil)jcoi Iim!^ iiovor iitipircd 
U> |ii>litii'!il |iiKsiti(iiis, hut iii'viT fails to I'ji.sl a vuto 
for lv>'|itilili('aii caiKlidatt'.s. lie lias pasM-d all tliu 
I'liail's ill Odd l-Vllowship, niid lins Ihvii a nuinlicr 
»if tin- (iiaiid l.odi;i> more lliiiii tliiitv vcais. 



I®)- tftCSl^'^ ,(SJ 



>«\ I»I1.1.IAM I'dOK, (U'trasod, was one of tlio 
\i\/l *''''*■•"'' li;>liv>' l<'sidi'iit> of Madison C'oiiiitv, 
\^^ liisliirtli liaviiii; oi'i'Uiii'd in .larvis Towii- 
sliipon till' .'Id of .\ni;ust, l.Sl.s. Tlu' lainilv was of 
(u-rinan liiu'.-ijjo. 'l"ln' fatlu-i, .lolin Cook, was lioni 
ill llossf-lloiiibiirj;, (iciiiiany. in 17('>'.', and I'aino 
to .\iiuMifa during' llii' Kcvolutlonarv War, takini; 
lip his ii'sidoiuo in l.ittio York, I'a., wlu'iu'O ho 
ri'iiiovi'd to Wi'st \iiiiiiiia. In Ifijli lie lioo.nnio 
Olio of Iho pionoois of Illinois, and loi'alod on tho 
piosoiit sito of tlio I'itv of I'olliiisvillo. 

Mr. (.'ook whoso iianio lioads this rooord ao- 
(piirotl his piiiiiarv odiioation in tho pulilio soliools 
of tho iioiiihliorhood, addiny to Uiis in aftor life 
an o\tonsi\o knowlodjto jiainod by oloso olisorva- 
lion and a wido otuiiso of loadiiij;. His ontirolifo 
was spoilt in tho iioighliorhood of his liirtli plaoe. 
llo was loarotl to tho oooiipntioii of fariiiinj; smd 
iiiiido it his lifo work, llo was vory siiooossful in 
his uiidoilrtkiiijis. and hy his woll lUioolod olTints, 
his eiitcrpi'iso and iiiduslrv, he Ixvaino an exlcn- 
sivo ownor of roal oslnlo in Madison and St. tMair 
(\uiiilio.s, llo ;;avo tho honolil of his soiviirs to 
his fatlici- until Iwonty-six yoars of txgv and after 
that tiiiio aoipiiiod all of his proporly sjivo sixty 
aeros of laud, wliioli ho inhoiitod at his fallioi's 
tloatli. wliioli tH-oui'ix'd in tho spniiir of I.Slt. 

Mr. Cook was inarrioti in April, lSll,lo Miss 
Mary Nan lltnisor, diuiiihtor of .\lirahani and 
Nanoy 0'"*^'!*''"') ^ •'" llo»Ksor. llor fatlior was 
Ihmu ill Wytlio I'tuiiity, \'a., in 177('>, and lior inotli- 
or's liirtli iioouriod in Kasl 'IViiiiossoo in 1791. 
Tlioy woro inarriod in K^Olt ami roniovod to llli- 



noi> ill tho aiiiiiiiin of that year. Mrs. Cook wa.s 
horn ill ,1:11 \ is rowiiship, M:idison Coiiiily , anil 
horo spoilt hor oiitiro lifo, lior doath ooourriii'^ 
Novonilior I'.l, I HiS2. 'i'o our siilijool and his wife 
woro liorii oij;ht ohildruii, only four of whinii aro 
now liviiij;, viz.: Isaao W., who inarriod Ida M. 
I'rioo anil rosidos in Troy, 111.; Matilda, who is 
livilifj on llio oKl lioniostoail; .loliii \V., who is on- 
irajjod in tho luinkiiiir Imsinoss in Collinsvillo, and 
is a progrossivo and wido-uwako oiti/.on and iiiuoli 
iiiloroslod ill roal ostato in Madi.son County; and 
Anna S., wifo of Charlos Maiiror, who is no>Y op- 
oratinu tho old honiostoad of tho Cook family. 

liolh Mr. .'iiid Mrs. Cook woro iiionilivrs of Iho 
Troy (111.) Baptist Cliiiioh and took an aotivo part 
in ohuroh and honovoloiit woik. In politios ho was 
oriuiiiaily a Wliii;, hut wlion tho Kopulilioan party 
was oruani/od lii' hooaiiio <uio of its most aotivo 
supportors, and oontinuoil an oarnost advooato of 
itvS prinoiplos until his doath. His sons, Isaao :iiid 
.Uiliii, ari' also stalwart Kopiihlioans. llo was oiio 
of tho most proiniiioiil moii of Ihooounty and oiio 
of its most oxlonsivo land ownois.ainl a woll spout 
lifo won for him t!io oiuilidoiioo and hii;li roijard 
of all. llo dio<l .Inly 27, hSDl, rospootod liy all 
who know him. 




MAKI.KS MAI Ui:i; is a woll-to-do fainior 
t>f .larvis Township, Mai'.ison County, whoro 
ho pursuos his oallini; with /.oal and intolli- 
gonoo, winning; from tlio sciil an aliiindanl harvest 
of tho varicuis y;raiiis, and in this way soouros for 
himself and family all of the oomfcut.s i>f lifo. llis 
farm i,s looaled on seolioii W and otmiprises forty 
woll tilled aores. 

Diir sulijeol is a native of this oounty, and was 
Ihu-ii ill Cullinsville, Se|)teinbcr It!, I8(>2. lie is 
the seventh of tho ton ohildroii born to .Vdaiii and 
Cathorino (Fisher) Maiirer, natives of (iermany, 
.the former of whom was born in IVrmhaoh, Nxssaii, 
and the latter in llosso-Darnistadt. Adam Maiiror 
oiiiijjraled to tho Now \N\irld when a lail of seven- 
teen years, and making his way direetly to St. 



rORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



265 



Louis, Mo., made liis liorne in tiial city for a lime, 
and llien came to Coll iiisvi lie, where the remainder 
of his life was passed, his decease occurring Octo- 
Ijcr 7, 18*57. His good wife is still living, and 
makes her home in Collinsvillc. 

Charles, of this sketch, was permitted to carry 
on his studies in the common .schools of the above 
place until si.xteen ^ears old, when he began work- 
ing on his father's farm. One year after attaining 
his majority he began life's struggles, and leaving 
home, found work as a farm laborer on farms in 
the vicinity. Id 1887, however, he had laid by a 
sullicient sum of money to enable him to [lurcha-se 
property of his own, and since that time has been 
tilling the soil to good advantage. 

November 17, 1891, Charles Maurer and Miss 
Annie Cook were united in marriage. The lady 
is the daughter of William and Mary (Vanhooser) 
Cook, the former of whom departed this life July 
27, 1891, and the latter November I'J, 1882. The 
Cook family was among the very earliest to settle 
in this count}'. On her mother's side of the house 
Mrs. Maurer is descended from a good old Virgin- 
ian family. She is a member in good standing of 
the Methodist Chuicli, and is active in all good 
works in this vicinity. Politically our subject has 
always cast a Republican vote, and although never 
aspiring to ijolitical honors, is discharging the 
duties imposed upon him as School Director to his 
own credit and honor. 



|L^ ON. CONRAD A. AMBROSIUS, a member 
Jnj^ of the Thirty-eighth fk-neral Assembly of 
A^^ Illinois, is the head of the large mercantile 
(^) establishment of Ambrosias & Sons, in 
Collinsville. He was born in Hesse-Cassel, Ger- 
many, .January 18, 1839, and is the second son in 
the family of Adam and Catherine (Hrandenstein) 
Ambrosius, also natives of the Fatherland. 

The parents made their home in their native 
place until .January, 1842. when they emigrated 
to America, making their first stop in St. Louis, 
Mo. They resided there until 1849, when they 



made their advent into Collinsville, here passing 
the remaining years of their lives. Adam Am- 
brosius was a pcKjr man when he landed in the 
New World, and for some time thereafter worked 
out as a common laborer by the <lay. He was very 
industrious, however, and being ambitious to se- 
cure a good home for himself and family, worked 
hard, and at the time of his decease, in 18C6, he 
was the possessor of a comfortable and well im- 
proved farm. His good wife followed him U> the 
better land three years later, dying in 18C9. 

Conrad, of this sketch, had very limited educa- 
tional advantages; his father's means did not jier- 
mit liirn to attend the subscription schools, which 
were the only institutions of learning in that day, 
and he was kept at home to assist in sup|Kjrting 
the family. At the age of eighteen he attended a 
three months' term of the public school, and Ijy 
improving every moment of the time he acfjuiierl 
sutlicient education Uj enable him U) conduct a 
successful business on his own account. 

When twenty-five years of age our subject be- 
gan the struggle of life on his own account and 
engaged in farming, which vocation he followed 
until the spring of 187.5. That 3'ear he sunk a 
coal shaft on his estate, which was located near 
Collinsville, on the Vandalia liaiIroad,and organ- 
ized the Cantine Coal i .Mining Company, of 
which he was the President and general manager 
for fourteen years. He then disposed of the mines 
U) the Consolidated Coal Company-, and moving 
into the city of Collinsville, began dealing quite 
extensively in real estate. He speculated in city 
property for s*>me three years, and in the sjjring 
of 1891 founded the mercantile firm of Ambrosius 
& Sons, and has been successfull}' conducting bus- 
iness as a general merchant since that time. It is 
one of the largest establishments in the cit}', and 
the proprietors enjoy the confidence and esteem of 
the entire community. 

Conrad A. Ambrosius was married, in 1862, to 
Miss Maria .Schmidt. Iler father was a native of 
Germany and came to the New World rnanj' years 
ago. Mrs. Ambrosius was deprived of the care of 
her parents when quite young and was reared to 
womanhood in the family of C. Kalbfleisch. I5y 
her union with our subject she became the mother 



2ti6 



PORTRAIT AiN'l) HlOGRArillCAl, RKCORD. 



of eleven eliiltlii-n, two of wlunn ilicil in iiifaiu y. 
Those now living are, Auiiii, llie wife of Max 
litK'liinau; .loliii A., who is one of llie lirni of Ani- 
bi'osiiis it Sons, anil wlio married Tiilie Arnibrus- 
ler; William A., who also has an interest in the 
al)i>ve eoni|>anv; ( instav A., the husliand of Kstlier 
Sehoettlei ; (Jeorge, 'I'licoilore, Clara, Louisa and 
r.ertlia. 

Ihir suhjeel ;ind liis family are niiniluTs in ijood 
standinj; of the l.iithiiaii (iiiirili. In |iolitii> Uv 
he han lieen a life-ionj; Deniooiat, and has served 
the peojile in the eapaeilA of Highway Commis- 
sioner and Alderman for fourteen years. In I8i(2, 
at the earnest solieilalion of his parly, he aeeepled 
the nomination of Representative of Madison 
( oiinly. and '.va.s eleeted a nieniher of llic 'I'hirty- 
eighlli (ieneral Assendily. His name stood lirst on 
the ealender diiring the inenii>ral)le session of l.'^It'i- 
!•;> and he never failed l<t respond to the roil eall. 
lie has ever lieen pulilie spirited and progressive, 
and nil worthy movement is alkiwed to fail 
throngh negligence on his part. 



JijOllN S. t'lT.l', one of the liest lvn.>wn eiti- 
I zens of the eonnty, is residing on a line 
ll estate in Fosterlmrgh Township, lie is a na- 
' tiveof this state, having been boin in Wood 

River T»>wnship, .Inne (!, IM II. His parents were 
Benjamin K. and Matilda (Rhoails) C'ulp, the 
former of whom was born near Steiibenville, Ohio, 
in whieh part of the stale his parents were old 
pioneers. 

lienjniiun C'ulp was reared on a farm and made 
agriculture his life work. He was educated in 
the common sehoi>ls, and being a great reader, 
was probably the best informed man on current 
events in his section. He came west to this coun- 
ty when ab«.)Ul twenty years tif age, and locating 
near Alton, started a cooper sho|> and kept "bach" 
until his marriage. Later he purchased a small 
tract of school land, whieh he developed into a 
good farm and thereafter gave his undivided at- 
tentiou to agriculture, from which branch of in- 



dustry he ai'cumulated a handsome competence. 
He held many of the local ollices of the township, 
such as .lustice of the I'eace, School Trustee, etc. 
In politics he was a Whig. 

The parents of our subject were mendiers in 
good standing of the Uaplist (.'hurch and were peo- 
ple greatly respected in their community. t)f their 
fandly of seven children, two died when (piite 
young, and those n(>w living are, Maria, the wife 
of T. N. Harris; .loliii S., of tlii> .-■kiUh; Saimicl II.. 
living in Wood River Township, this county, and 
Mollie, now Mrs. W. .1. Crawford. Nancy became 
Mrs. I'eter Lower and is now deceased. The father 
of these children departed this life in ISiSO. His 
widow survived until KSSo. 

The original of this sketch completed his educa- 
tion in ShuitlelT College, in which institution he was 
a student for live years. He then taught school 
for a period of eleven years, one year of whu'h he 
was I'lincipal of the Hethalto school. During that 
time he also rented farms, which he hired "work- 
ed," and in 1^7.'! purchased a farm in Wood River 
Township. This he sold, as he did every other 
piece of property for which he was olTerid a good 
price, and with each change he made a liandsome 
piolil. 

In 1880 Mr. Ciilp purchased the farm on which 
he is now residing. It includes six hundred and 
sixty broad acres, adorned with suitable buildings 
of all kinds, and the excellent stale of cullivalion 
under which it has been placed is the work of his 
own hands. He devotes the greater part of his 
attention to stock-raising, having on his place a 
flock of live hundred sheep, cattle and lioi-ses of 
the best breeds. 

In April, 18G'.>, Mr. Culp was married to Miss 
Mary, daughter of .losluia and I'olly ( Williams) 
MiKne, natives also of this county, .losliua Moore 
was the son of Abel Moore, one c>f the earliest set- 
tlers here. To our subject and his wife have been 
lK>rn twosc>ns: Frank K., and Herbert L., who mar- 
ried Hattie tireenwood. They alsti have tJiken 
into their home two other children whom Ihey are 
training to lives of usefulness. May Dent/, and 
,Ic>seph Kardly. The elder son of Mr. Culp, who is a 
graduate of Shurtleff College, is now in the Regu- 
lar Inited Stiiles .\rmv and is located in W\oining. 




GEOROI-: \v. row 1:1. 1.. 



POUTKAIT AND lllOGltAFiiJCAL HECOlil). 



269 



lie has a (iiie business education, having complclRil 
tlie course in 15iyant Ai StiaUuii's College in SI. 
Louis. 

I>uiing the laic war our subject was a nietnlier 
of Company J5, Kiglitietli Illinois Infantry, which 
lie served as JJiuin Major. His regiment was un- 
der the command of Thomas and |)arlicipat<;d 
in the battles of I'erryville, Stone Hiver, Chick- 
amauga, Missionary' Kidgc, Atlanta and l-'rank- 
lin. He was never wounded during his army 
experience, but wliile at Uome, Ga., was taken 
prisoner and after about sixteen days was pa- 
roled. With his company, he was mustered out at 
Nashville, Tenn., and discharged at Springfield, 
this state. 

Mr. Culp is a very line musician and is now 
playing in two bands. His elder son inherited 
this talent also and is a musician in the Regular 
Army. In politics our sul)ject is a pronounced 
Republican. He is [lopular in his community and 
for thirteen years rendered ellicient service as Su- 
pervisor of his township. 



=«5"»5"i»*i- ■>4-»J'«i 



i-VVV-8*^*S"4'- 



llOV. (;i:(^R(;K W. TOWKIJ,, Superintcnd- 
•/ ent of the [(ubiic schools of Wichita Kails, 
f^ Tex., whose home, however, is still in I'piier 
5, Alton, wa-s born in Kayette County, III., 
Si'|»tcmbcr 21, \HU'). He is the son of William C. 
Towell, a native of 'i'cnnes'^cc, born Febiuary 10, 
1818, who, during the 'SOs, came to Illinois and set- 
tled in Kayette County. Throughout his life he 
followed the occupation of a farmei-, in which he 
met with fair success. His death occurred in Hond 
County, this sUite, in December, 18!)2. In early 
life he alliliated with the Whigs, and after the 
disintegration of that party, he became a Rejiulj- 
lican. His father, Eaton Powell, was a native of 
NrMth Carolina. 

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Rhoda S. Causey, and was born Deceinltcr 11, 
181 1. She had twelve children, of whom ten at- 
tained to years of maturity, narnel}': Mary, who 
married Albeit .Sims; Uciijamiii I'., AVilliaiii ,M.. 
George W., Serena, .Sarah K., Alexander A.,.Ioseph 
9 



H., Kiigene K. and Kuniee C, the latlx-r lx;ing the 
wife of .John C. Hall, .Jr., of Greenville, III. 

The early life of our subject was spent on the 
home farm, and in boyhood lie alU-rnated att<;iid- 
ance at the district .school with work at hoin(!. Af- 
ter having completed the studies of the public 
schools, he .secured instruction from private tiitfjrs, 
thus fitting himself for a teacher. His first e.\peri- 
encc in that capacity was at Kairview, Bond Coun- 
ty, where he taught seven terms. He then look 
charge of the graded schools at Pocahontas, IJond 
County, remaining in tli.'it jiosition for five years. 
Resigning th.-il place, he accepted the position <>f 
.Superintendent of the public .schools of Ipper Al- 
ton in 188.5, and during his seven yeai-s' incum- 
bency of that res|)onsible office, he advanced the 
grade of .scholarship and greatly benefited the en- 
tire public school system. In the fall of 1892 he 
liecame Su|)erintendent of the public .scIkxjIs of 
Wichita KalLs, Tex., where he has since spent nine 
months of each year, returning to Upper Alton for 
the summer m<jnths. 

While a resident of Uond County-, December .0, 
1862, Professor Powell enlisted in the Union army, 
and liming the same month he was mustered into 
service at .Springfield, lx.'cominga member of Com- 
pany C, Twent}' -sixth Illinois Infantry. He imme- 
diately- started to join his regiment, but was Uiken 
ill on the way and sent to the hospital at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., where he remained several months. 
So seriously ill was he, that at one time his life 
was entirely despaire<l of, and [jieparations were 
made for his burial. However, he fortunately ral- 
lied, and after a time regained his f<^rmer strength. 

On his recovery Professor Powell joined his reg- 
iment, but was declared unfit for duty and again 
sent to the hospital. In tlie early part of 1861 he 
rejoined his regiment at Scottsboro, and soon af- 
terward had his first experience in battle at lie- 
S!ica, Ga. Later he took part in all the engage- 
ments of his regiment, including Dalton, New 
Hope Church, Kcnesaw Mountain, IJuzzard's Roost, 
liig Shanty, Snake Creek Gap. .N'ickerjack Creek, 
Peach Tree Creek, and the battle befc^re AtlanUi. 
His regiment was in the Third Rrigade, First Divi- 
sion, Kifteeiitli Army Corps. After the ballh; of 
Atlanta he look part in the battles of Lainpay and 



270 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORI). 



Jonesborc), Ala., after which he went into camp at 
Kast Point, near Atlanta, lie began again in the 
strufrgle ft)r tlie Union in the march through 
Georgia, and from .Savannali went to Thunderbolt, 
S. C, thence by transport to Beaufort, where he 
remained through llic winter. The battle of Ben- 
ton ville terniinalod his experience on the batlle- 
lield. Ill' marched with his command to Golds- 
liuro, thence to Raleigh, on to Richmond and 
Washington, where he look part in the Grand Re- 
view, May 21, 1»65. At f^pringlield, 111., he was 
mustered out of the service .July 20 following. 
Upon his return to Bond County he resumed his 
studies. 

September 26, 1807, Professor Powell was united 
in marriage at Fairview, 111., with Malinda, daugh- 
ter of Henry and Ann (Brenemen) Miller, natives 
of Pennsylvania. Kiglit children bless the union, 
Malcomb G., Maud ()., (irace, Harold G., Ruth, 
Bnrnice, Mabel and Nellie. In politics the Profes- 
sor is a Republican. Socially he is identified with 
the (iiaiid Aniiy of the Republic at Highland, 111. 
As a partial (•(niipensation for valiant services 
rendered during the war he is in receipt of a pen- 
sion from the Government. He is a member of 
Franklin Lodge No. 25, A. I'. A- A. M., and Franklin 
Chapter No. 15 at I'pper Alton, also the Independ- 
ent Order of t)dd Fellows and the Knights of 
Pythias of Wichita Falls, Tex. 

Both by natural gifts and training Professor 
Powell is especially (pialilied for an educator. It 
is his pride to instruct, and if Texas had more in- 
structors of the same al)ility, the state would un- 
doubtedly advance more ia|)idl3-. He is a man of 
line ap[)earance and pleasing address, and occupies 
a warm place in the esteem of the people of I'pper 
Alton. His wife is an amiable lady, wlR)se chief 
desire iii life lias been to promote his welfare and 
to train her children for honoialile positions in 
life. The family is i)rominent in social circles and 
highly regarded by the i)eople of the community. 
->+<-«^ 

y» ILLl.VM STFVKNS is a self-made m!in,and 
'/ one who by dint of natural ability and 
perseverance has raised himself from the 
bottom and accumulated a competency. He was 
formerly the owner of a line jewelry store iu Col- 



linsville, but is now living retired in that city. 
Our subject w.as born in Blrminghain, ICngland, in 
1822, and is the only child of his parents, Henry 
and Klizabeth (Fields) Stevens, also natives of 
England. The former died in his native country', 
.and the mother emigrated to America in 1815, 
spending the remaining years of her life in the 
home of our subject. William, of this sketch, was 
given a good education in Kngland, where he re- 
mained until a year after reaching his majority, 
when he sailed for .\inerica. He made his first 
stop in St. Louis in 1812, and eonlinueil to make 
his home in the Mound City until 18(;5, being the 
greater portion of that time engaged in the jewelry 
business. 

In the above year Mr. Stevens came to CoUins- 
ville, where he opened up an establishment of his 
own and cfuulucted a fine trade as a jeweler dur- 
ing his active business career. In 18110 he dis- 
posed of his interests in that line, and although 
now seventy-two years of age, he is ipiile active 
and iu the enjoyment of good health. 

In 1812 William Stevens and Miss Kiniiia Moore 
were united in marriage. The lady was born in 
Birmingham, iMigland, and by her union with our 
subject has become the mother <if live children, 
all of whom are living. Kinma is the wife of Luther 
Nelson, of this city; Elizabeth, Mrs. .lohn Fair- 
bridge, resides in .St. Louis, Mo., which is also the 
home of William, .Jr.; Alfred eiigage<l in business 
in Altamont, this state, and married Kale Lemon, 
of this county, and Harry, who makes his home in 
Nevada, Mo., is also married. 

Mrs. Stevens closed her eyes in death in 185G, 
and the lady whom our subject chose !is his second 
eompanion was Mrs. .Jane Mc(!regor, of St. Louis. 
By her former marriage she had a son, John. Our 
subject and his estimable wife are valued members 
of the Presbyterian Church, in which the former 
is an Elder. 

Prominent in the |)olitical history of Collins- 
ville, Mr. .Stevens h.as not only served as Alderman, 
and as President of the Board of Education, but 
has in other ways represented the peoi)le, whose 
interests are uppermost in his mini]. He is a strong 
Democrat. For ten years he w.as I'resident of the 
CoUiusville Building and Loan Association, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



271 



he is held in high esteem by the citizens of this 
coniniuiiity fur liis energy in so nobly overcom- 
ing the obstacles that stood between him and 
wealth. 

^ P • 



l^_^ ENRY MORITZ, wiio now carries on geu- 
jl'i eral farming on section 30, Omphghent 
Townshi)), is numbered among the prosper- 
ous and successful citizens of the commu- 
nit)', and may truly be called a self-made man. 
He began life empty-handed, but has steadily 
worked his way upward and success has crowned 
his efforts. He was born in Prussia, Germany, on 
the rjth of February, 1842, and is a son of Her- 
man and Phii'be (Kaniman) Moritz, both of whom 
were also natives of Prussia, and there s|)ent their 
entire lives. 

The parental family numbered six children, of 
whom Henry was the fourth in order of birth. 
He spent his early childhood days under the par- 
ental roof, but at the age of fourteen left home 
and has since made his own way in the world. He 
crossed the briny deep to the United States iu 
1856, and made his way to St. Louis, whence 
lie removed to Alton. His cash caiiital consisted 
of only *6 at the time of his arrival at the latter 
place, but he was iiidustiious and aiiilntious, and 
undaunted by the obstacles in his [)atli he here be- 
gan life. During the lirst summer he worked as 
a farm hand, receiving ¥6 [ler month as com|(en- 
salion for his services. He was thus emiiloycd 
for about seven j'ears, but in the meantime his 
wages were increased, and he thus secured a start 
iu life. 

On the 3d of June, 18G3, Mr. Moritz was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah Denton, who was 
born in Madison County on the farm which is 
now the home of our subject. Her inotiier's people 
were very early settlers of this locality-, having lo- 
cated in pjdwardsville in 1816. Nine children 
were born to our subject and his wife, six of 
whom are yet living, namely: Mattie, vvife of Al- 
bert Ilandshe}', of Madison County; Emma, John, 



Kate, Lillie and Willie, all of whom are yet at 
home. The mother of this family was called to 
her final rest in 1881, and Mr. Moritz has since 
wedded Mrs. Matilda (Betman) Kampworth, widow 
of William Kampworth. By this union has been 
born one son, Edward. I]y her former marriage 
Mrs. Moritz had six children. 

In his undertakings our subject has been quite 
successful. He owns two farms, one comprising 
three hundred and twenty-five acres on section 36, 
and the other of one hundred and twenty acres, 
making in all four hundred and forty-live acres. 
He operates both places, carries on general farm- 
ing and stock-raising, and has a good grade of 
horses, cattle and hogs upon his [ilace. In his po- 
litical views he is a Rei)ublican, and has held sev- 
eral local offices. In 1892 he was elected School 
Comiiiissioner and was School Trustee for two 
terms, and for about seventeen years was School 
Director. The cause of education finds in him a 
warm friend, and he gives his support to all worthy 
enterprises calculated to prove of i)ublic benefit. 
With the Lutheran Church he holds niembeishii). 
His life has been a liusy and useful one, and all 
who know him esteem him highly for his sterling 
worth and strict intcgrit)'. 



'^-- 



'■^ 



\W? EWIS B. HARRIS is one of the intelligent 
j) and highly respected farmers who reside 
^ on section 21, Jarvis Township, JMadison 
County, where he has ninety acres of excellent 
land. The place is neat and thrifty in appearance 
and eveiything denotes the careful supervision of 
the owner. Mr. Harris was born in this township 
in 181!) and is the second child in the family of 
Benjamin and Aria (Loyd) Harris. 

The father of our sul)ject, who is a native of 
Kentucky, was there reared to man's estate, and 
after emigrating to Illinois, here spent the remain- 
dei' of his life, dying in 1852. He was a well-to- 
do farmer and one whose character commanded 
the respect of all. His good wife, who is still liv- 



•272 



Pi)UTRAIT AND HIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



ing, makes her home witli the brother of our sub- 
jecU 

Lewis H. Ilarrib had tlic advunlagcs of r. coin- 
nu>ii-schw>l echicatioii, ami oue year prior to at- 
taiiiiiii; liis niajorily hcyaii life's struggle on his 
own atiouiil. lie chose agriculture as his vocation, 
ami \>y ilint of hard work and enterprise has de- 
veloped agood farm. His entire life has been spent 
within the confines of this county and as a natural 
result he is much interested in the progress and 
develo|)menl of this section, and has done his full 
share in making it the magnificent farming region 
that it is to-day. 

The lady to whom Mr. Harris was united in 
nuvrriage in 1875 was Miss Arkansas, daughter of 
Wesley and Sarah Ann Cook, who are old and re- 
spected residents of this county. To this union 
have been born the following live children: Emma, 
Anna, Ada, Oruce and Lulu. Miss Emma, the 
eldest daughter, is a valued member of the Meth- 
odist Church, and is tilting herself to become a 
schot)] teacher. 

Mr. Harris is a believer in the (irinciples laid 
down in tlie Kc|iulilic;in plalform and never fails 
to cast a vote for the candidates of that party. lie 
has never aspired to positions of political honor, 
but is now serving acceptably as School Director 
of his district. 



■^ 



^IV^fe., 



"^m^^ 



> 




-^K DOLPII MUELLER. No member of the 
(!^OI community in Highland is held in greater 
honor and esteem than this gentleman, 
and no one is more worthy' of the success 
that results from diligence, ability and enterprise 
than he. He is well known as one of the promi- 
nent druggists of the place, and was born in the 
city of Stargard, I'russia, August 29, 1835. 

August Mueller, the father of our subject, was a' 
wine and liquor merchant in the above place, and 
after our subject emigrated to America he crossed 
the .\tlanlic to make his son a visit, and while 



here died, August 10, 1872. Adolph was reared 
to man's estate in Prussia, where he received a 
fine education, and choose pharmacy as his voca- 
tion in life. He was graduated from a fine insti- 
tution in Cicrmany and soon afterward engaged in 
the drug business, which he followed until IHGO, 
when he determined to try his fortunes in the 
New World. The trip to America was made in 
company with a sister, they being the only mem- 
bers in a large family who left home. His sister 
is now residing in St. Louis, Mo., where her hus- 
band has been emplo3'ed for many years in the 
Aj'sessor's ollice. Our subject first made his home 
in the Mound City, and in the spring of the fol- 
lowing year, when Lincoln issued his first call for 
troo[)s, he promptly tendered his services in the 
defense of his adopted country and went to the 
front as a member of Company 15, Third Mis- 
souri Regiment. He was enrolled April 22, and 
at that time was ai)|)ointed Hospital Steward, do- 
ing service in Missouri runl the southwest. At 
Wilson's Creek, in company with many of his 
comrades, including most of the otlicers of his 
company, he w.os cut off from the main army, sur- 
rounded, and taken prisoner by the enemy. After 
being held for some time they were |)aroled by- 
General Price. In February, 1862, the regiment 
was consolidated with another. Mr. Mueller then 
resigned his commission, and returning to St. 
Louis, engaged in the drug business on the coiner 
of IJuchanan Street and Ihoadway. He afterward 
removed to Trenton, this state, and for live or six 
years, or until 18G9, the date of his advent into 
Highland, followed the same business. 

Upon locating here Mr. Mueller established his 
present business, and two or three years later 
erected the store building which he still occupies. 
He has been interested in many of the leading en- 
terprises of the city, and was one of the stock- 
holders of the Milk Condensing F.aetory. He later 
sold his share in that eomiiany and purchased 
stock in the new creamery and in the Highland 
Bank. As a matter of course he is a prominent 
Grand Army man and has been (.Quartermaster of 
the lodge in this place since its organization. He 
is also connected with the Knights t)f Honor, the 
Ancient Order of United Woikmen, and the Tur- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



273 



ners' and Sliarpshooters' Societies, in all of which 
orders lie lias been an oHice liolder. He has twice 
filled the office of City Treasurer, and in politics 
always casts a vote for Republican candidates. 

While residing in Trenton, Adolpli Mueller was 
married to Miss Paulina Leonhart, who was born 
in this cit}', and to them was born a family of six 
children. Tliose living are, Ida, now Mrs. Alfred 
Wildi, whose husband is one of the proprietors of 
the Highland Embroidery Works; Selma, I rnia and 
Cora. Mr. Mueller is a man of broad and liberal 
views, is progressive and benevolent, and is a gen- 
erous supporter of all worthy enterprises. 



liL. 



_^i#l)4 ^ 







ON. ALFRED J. PARKINSON, ex-Member 
of tlie State Senate, is one of the foremost 
farmers in St. Jacob Township, where he 
has resided since 1818. He was born in 
White County, East Tennessee, January 20, 181G, 
of which state his father, who bore the name of 
Wasliington Parkinson, was also a native, and was 
descended from good old English and Scotch 
people. 

W.ashington Parkinson w.as one of seven sons 
Ijorn to his parents, his birth occurring Septem- 
l)or 17, 1787. But little is known of the remaining 
members of the familj' other than that one was a 
Colonel in the Black Hawk War, and that the eld- 
est, John Parkinson, located in Virginia, where all 
trace of him was lost. The father of our subject was 
a man possessed of more tlian average education and 
ability, and was very strong in his likes and dis- 
likes. He came to Madison County the same year 
the state was admitted into the Union, and Ijecame 
the proprietor of a large tract of land, entering 
actively into the work of its development. On 
account of his sujierior mind, he was often called 
upon to arbitrate differences between the pioneers, 
and while not a lawyer by ])rofession, he did much 
in the w.iy of tiying cases in the local courts, and 



was known as a terror to evil doers. On the even- 
ing of May 15, 1846, while at home surrounded 
by his happy family', a shot was fired through the 
open window by an assassin, and Washington Par- 
kinson, the foremost citizen of the locality and the 
benefactor to the poor and oppressed, fell dead in 
the presence of liis family. His murderer was never 
positively located, and as far as human law goes, 
was never punislied. 

The motlier of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Mary Moore, was born in North Carolina in 
1790, and lived to be eighty-two years of age, de- 
parting this life in October, 1872. She reared a 
familj' of five sons and two daughters, two of whom 
died when quite young. His sister, Valinda V., 
married Rev. Edward Dugger, a preacher of the 
Methodist Churcii, and resides in Girard, Kan. 
Her husband died in 1869, and with the exception 
of our subject, is tlie only member of the family 
surviving. 

Alfred J., of this sketch, was only two years of 
age when he accompanied his pai-ents to this coun- 
ty. Here he grew to manhood on the home farm, 
receiving but an ordinary education in the dis- 
trict school. In 1842 he was married to Mary E. 
Baldwin, a native of Hobart, N. Y., wliose family 
came to this county about 1835. In 1844 Mr. 
Parkinson located on the place where he still re- 
sides, and has become a prominent figure in the 
locality. Although never seeking political honors, 
he has often been called upon to fill offices of 
honor and trust, and in this, as in everything else, 
he has acquitted himself with great credit. In 
1879 he was brought to the front as candidate for 
the State Senate on the Republican ticket, and was 
elected by a large majorit}-. Some years ago he 
identified himself with the Prohibition party, and 
since then lias been an ardent worker in the tem- 
perance cause. 

Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson have reared a large 
family, including seven sons and two daughters. 
All the sons are college graduates, of whom we 
make the following mention: George W. tauglit 
school for a number of years, but now h.as charge 
of his father's farm; Daniel B. has been for twenty 
years a professor in the Normal College at Carbon- 
dale; Augustus was a law3'erl)3- profession, but on 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



account of poor lieallh went to California, wliere 
lie was married, ami reluniiiii,' home died, in May, 
ISHo; Kdward II., a j>ra<luiile of the tlicological 
department of the Nortliwestern University at 
Kvanstun, this state, is a preacher in tlio Methodist 
Cliureh and is now located at Chapman, Kan.; 
Charles W. and his wife taught the past two years 
in the schools of \'an<lalia. 111.; O. Lewis is engaged 
in business at Ottawa, Kan.; anil Arthur E. is en- 
g.aged in the practice of law at Kans.os City, Mo. 
.lulia K. married Thorton J. Dew, a prominent attor- 
ney of Kans.as City, Mo., and Mary Emma is the 
wife of Dr. .L \V. McKe\', a skillful physician, also 
residing in the above city. The mother of this fam- 
ily died .lanuary 28, 1890. Our subject, although 
nearly fourscore years old, looks fully twenty 
years younger and is very hale and hearty. For 
many years p.ast he has done little work on his 
farm, leaving it to the able? inanagement of his son, 
and Lakes much pleasure in being free to visit his 
children. 



IIARLES F. EDWARDS. Among the good 

^ farmers f)f Madison County may be classed 

^^y our subject, who is now living on section 
20, .larvis Townshij), where he is pursuing his 
calling with energy on two hundred and thirteen 
acres of line land. lie was born on the farm 
where he is at present living in 1834, and is the 
third child of his parents, .lolin and Sarah (Merry) 
Edwards. The former was born in Knox County, 
Tenii., and on emigrating to this state, in 1827, 
made a location in Jarvis Township, where he 
carried on farm |)ursuits during the remainder of 
his life, lie was successful in his work, and was 
also prominent in the local affairs of his adopted 
county, having been .Justice of the I'e.ace for 
twenty years. lie departed this life in 186G, while 
his good wife, wIkj was a native of Hoiirbon Coun- 
ty, Ky., preceded him to the belter land, dying 
in 1857. 

Charles F. Edwards, f>f this sketch, ])rosecnted 
his primary studies in the subscription schools 
near his home, and later attended the free schools. 



When not in school his boyhood days were spent 
in aiding his father on the farm, and upon attain- 
ing his majority he went to Collinsville and se- 
cured a position .as clerk in the store of William 
Iladley. At the end of one year, however, he re- 
turned to the farm, and has since that time been 
engaged in tilling the soil to gf)od advaiiUage. 
With steady purpose, energy and determination 
he has attended to his chosen vocation, until at 
the present time he stands in the foremost rank 
as a farmer and stock-raiser of Madison County. 

In March, 18G1, Charles I<'. Edwards was married 
to Miss Margaret A., daughter f)f Andrew and 
Caroline (Henderson) Kimberliii; the latter were 
natives of ^'il■ginia, but came to this sljite and 
county in an early d.ay. The union of our sub- 
ject and his wife has been blessed by the birth of 
seven sons, of whom live arc living at the present 
writing. George A. is an agriculturist of this 
township and the husband of Dora Riggin; the 
oilier members of the family are, .losepli F., Fred 
S., I'jneiy L. and Wilber <)., all at home with their 
parents. .John A. died when live ^ears of age, 
and William C. departed this life at the age of 
three years. 

In local matters our subject is public siiirited, 
and Lakes great interest in the welfare of the 
community in which he makes iiis home. Ho de- 
posits his ballot in favor of the nominees of the 
Republican parly, and has served his fcllow-cili- 
zciis cdicienlly as School Director for the past 
thirty-live years. 



^\ 



wm 



■mm^^ 



RITZ STEINMEVEH resides on section (i, 
•(sj' .larvis Township, Madison County, where 
he is occupying one of his fatlier's farms. 
It comprises two hundred acres of linely improved 
land, which he devotes to diversified crops. The 
buihlings on the place are neat and substantial, 
and are ellicienlly commodious for their respect- 
ive uses. Mr. Steinmeyer pursues his willing with 
zeal and intelligence, and wins from the soil an 
abundant harvest 

Our subject was born in ( iciiiiaiiy August 12, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



275 



1850, and is the eldest of eight ehildioii comprised 
in tlie faniiiy of Ileniy and Mary (Biandl) IStein- 
mej'er. Tiie parents emigrated to tlie New World 
jii 1869, and immediately iiiade their way to this 
county, whore the father began farming the next 
}'ear. He followed that occupation until 1890, 
when he retired and moved to Edwardsville, wiiere 
he is still living with his good wife. 

Fritz Steinmeyer, of this sketch, attended the 
model schools of his native land until reaching 
his fourteenth year, and then spent the succeed- 
ing four years in work on his father's farm. He 
was a young man in his nineteenth year when his 
parents came to this country, and he was eng.aged 
for some time thereafter as a farm laborer. Later 
he found work on his father's estate, and re- 
mained with liim several years, when he was given 
land, and has since continued to reside on one of 
his father's farms. The land is well cultivated and 
fenced, and under his efficient management ranks 
among the best in the township. 

In 1884 Fritz Steinmeyer and Miss Mary Hiteze- 
mann were united in marn.age. The lady was the 
daughter of Fredericke Ilitezemann, a native of 
Germany. To our subject and his wife have been 
born five children: Frederick, William, Martha, 
Emil and Lillie. The entire family are members 
of the German Reformed Church. The political 
adherence of our subject is given to the Demo- 
cratic party, in the success of which he has always 
taken an active interest. As a farmer, citizen and 
neighbor, he has so conducted himself in his ca- 
reer as to win respect and regard from all who 
know him. 



^ j^ILLIAM F. POOS, who is one of the most 
\/yJ// prominent dairy farmers within the limits 
V^^ of IMadison County, has a fine estate in 
Ilamel Township, and a herd of forty milch cows. 
He engaged in this branch of agriculture in 1889, 
starting with only six cows, and is now doing a 
fine business, shipping the product to St. Louis. 

Mr. Poos was born in Westphalia, Germany, No- 
vember 10, 1851, and is the son of Henry and 
Minnie (Voight) Poos, also natives of that place. 



In ISfifi William F. came to the United Slates 
with his father; the son remained in Ijrooklyn, N. 
Y., while his father made a tour of the west, look- 
ing for a suitable location, and during his trip w.as 
sun struck. lie returned to the Fatherland to lo- 
cate, and there he is living with the remainder of 
the family. 

Mr. Poos w.as one in a family of four children, 
one of whom is deceased. He has one brother 
living in Kans.as,and the other makes liis home in 
the Old Country. William F. was reared to farm 
pursuits, and on his second trip to the New World, 
which was made in the winter of 1869-70, he came 
direct to this county and worked out bj' the month, 
first for Judge Eaton. He was employed as a farm 
hand for various parties for five years, and when 
ready to establish a home of his own was married, 
February 24, 187G, to Miss Amelia Wilkening. 
Mrs. Poos was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 
13, 1856, and was the daughter of William and 
Dora (Neitert) Wilkening. 

After his marriage our subject rented his mother- 
in-law's farm for four years, and then going to 
Kansas, purchased property there. A short time 
thereafter he returned to this county, and became 
the owner of a quarter-section of land on which 
be now lives, and on which he has erected all the 
suitable buildings, making of it a valuable estate. 
It now comprises three hundred acres of tillable 
land, a goodly portion of which he rents. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Poos have been born seven 
children, namely: Minnie S. D., Amelia L. II., 
Frederick W., William K., Henry A., Dena E. M. 
and ICdward H. A. Our subject and his wife are 
members in good standing of the P^vangelical 
Church, and in politics the former is a stanch Re- 
publican. He has been Township Clerk and High- 
way Commissioner, and socially was a prominent 
Mason. 

Mr. Poos was engaged in mixed agriculture un- 
til a few years ago, when he made a specialty of 
dairy farming, which industry he finds to be ver^^ 
profitable, and stands at the head of the dair3men 
in the county. He has a very fine herd of cattle, 
which he has increased from six to forty. 

Prior to leaving his native land our subject was 
made the administrator of a large and valuable es- 



276 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



l:Uc wlieii only sevontecn years of a.^c. Ills patcr- 
iKil ii:i:in(lf:illi('r was Henry Poos, wlio lived and 
dicMl near llio hirlliplaec of William V. Ills grand- 
parents on Ills niollier's side were William and 
Minnie (Meyer) N'oiijlit, llie former of whom was 
a native of Kranee, hut departed this life in West- 
phalia. They all live(I to lie advan('e(l in years, 
(Iraiidmollier Poos having met her death acciden- 
tally when over one hnndrcd 3'cars of age. 



-H-^-l 



c=_ 



-S) 



yJLLIAM AV. EVERF/IT, M. D., one of the 
leading pliysicians of Highland, is a na- 
^y/ live of this stale, having been liorn near 
W^inehcster, in Scott Count}-, .lanuary 17, 18i36. 
His father, Andrew J. FIverett, was born in Ken- 
tucky, .as was also his father, who later became one 
of the early settlers of the above county. The 
grandfather died at an advanced age, wlieii his 
son Andrew .1. was a young man. The family is 
noted for longevity, and one of the great-uncles of 
our subject lived to the remarkable age of one 
hundred and three years, and another brother of 
his grandfather is living in Lebanon, Mo., having 
passed Ids ninetieth birtlnJay. 

The father of our subject served as a soldier dur- 
ing the late war as a member of Company F, Tenth 
HIinois Cavalry. He remained at the front for 
three and one-half years, during which time he 
participated in many of the leading engagements 
of the war. When William W. was a lad of six 
years his parents moved to Pond County, locating 
on a farm near Pocahontas, and there his boyhood 
days were passed in a manner little different from 
other farmer lads. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Sarah Jane Anthony; she was born in Scott Coun- 
ty, this state, while her parents were natives of 
Kentuckj'. 15y her union with A. .1. Everett she 
became the mother of five sons and four daughters, 
of whom two sons and three daughters are now 
living. William, of this sketch, received a com- 
mon school education in l!o7id County, and one 
year prior to attaining his majority he entered the 



IVHssouri Meilical College of St. Louis, and was 

later graduated from the Keokuk (Iowa) Medical 
College, with the Class of '77. 

In the above year, when looking around for a 
suitable location, Dr. Everett commenced the 
practice of his professifin at .lamestown, Clinton 
County, III., where he built uj) a lucrative practice 
and remained until June, 1892, the date of his re- 
moval to Highland. He at once took a place in 
the front lank among the leading physicians in 
this city and now numbers patients throughout the 
county. 

The marriage of Dr. Everett took i)lace January 
23, 1879, at which time Miss Flora C.Clements 
became his wife. The lady was the daughter of 
Edwin Clements, a prominent farmer of I'.ond 
County. IMrs. Everett is a lady f)f many aecom- 
l)lishments,and by her union with our subject there 
has been born a family of two sons and two 
daughters, namely: Pertha, Ernest, Wilber and 
(j race. 

Socially the Doctor in a member of the Modern 
W^oodinen of America, is connected with the Pond 
and Clinton Counties' Medical Societies, and is an 
honorary member of the Missouri Medical Societ}'. 
With his professional skill, which brings him the 
best chiss of patronage, Dr. Everett combines the 
tact which makes fast friends of the patients who 
come to him for treatment, and the closest and 
most .assiduous attention to business has swelled 
his annual income to goodly proportions. 









ENRY El'PINC; is a prominent and repre- 
.sentative farmer of Madison County, now 
making his home in Edvvardsville Town'- 
sliip, where by his good m.anagemcnt he has 
become the proi)rietor of a productive estate, in- 
cluding over three hundred .acres. Like many of 
the best residents here he is a native of (iermany, 
having been born near Perlin, November !;'>, 1811;"). 
The father of our subject, (!. 11. Eiiping, was also 
a native of the above place. There his mother, 
who was formerly Miss Oiiiiing, died when Henry 
was oiih lliree months old. The remaindei- of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



277 



family camo to the New World in 1844, setting I 
sail from Bremen on the vessel "Leotine," which 
landed tlieni nine weeks later in New Orleans. 
Thence tliey came north to St. Louis, Mo., by wa}' 
of the water route, arriving there July 10, 1844. 

In the spring of tlie following year G. II. Ep- 
pmg came with liis family to this connt}' and for 
three years farmed on rented land. Then return- 
ing to the Mound City he spent thcsucceeding year 
working in a brick yard, and after his next removal 
we find him located in Madison County-. He then 
purchased forty .icres of land on Pleasant Ridge, 
where lie soon built up a comfortable home, re- 
siding there for fifteen years. Then being ad- 
vanced in years he retired from active labor, and 
removing into the city of Edwardsville, was a citi- 
zen of that pLace until his decease, in 1877, when 
m his seventy-sixth j-ear. 

The parental family included three children, 
and by the second marriage of his father our sub- 
ject had fiiur half-iirotliers and sisters. f)ur sub- 
ject was reared on a farm and remained at home 
until a year after attaining his majority, when he 
began the battle of life on his own account b^' 
working farms near his home on shares. He was 
thus employed for a year and a-half, and the next 
event of importance in whicli he played a conspicu- 
ous [lart was his marriage with Miss Elizabeth Shan- 
ingman, the date of which event was November G, 
1858. Mrs. Epping, who was born in the same lo- 
cality as was her husband, came to the United 
States with her parents. Of the twelve children 
of whom she became the mother, six are still liv- 
ing, namely: Henry, Barny, Lena, Maggie, Minnie 
and Katie. 

After his marriage our subject rented land for 
thirteen years in this locality and for four years in 
Missouri. After that he iiurch.ased one hundred 
and thirty-six acres in this county, and at the 
same time was the owner of a one hundred and 
thirty acre tr.act in Naraooki Township, thirty-five 
acres pleasantly located near Edwardsville and 
eighty acres on Pleasant liidge. His estate is em- 
bellished with a substantial set of farm buildings 
and contains all tlic improvements necessary to 
modern agriculture. 

In his political relations Mr. Epping is a strong 



Democrat, having cast his first vote for James Bu- 
chanan. His entire family are members of the 
Catholic Church and are regular attendants at the 
s.anie. Our subject is well known throughout the 
section, where he has lived for years, and may well 
be accounted one of the self-made men of this 
locality. 

The father of our subject was a weaver in the 
(Md Countiy, which business he followed in con- 
nection with farming, .as also did the sons of the 
family. lie also served as a soldier in the German 
arm3', rendering efficient service for three years. 



S-g^g^i^^^^^-Sfg* 



<y-^^-ai'>^^ ->ii-^j- ^«^ Aj •^ t^ 




^I^^ENRY W. OLDENBURG. This active and 
wide-awake citizen of JMadison County is 
a prominent man in his locality and ig 
at present residing in Oldenburg, which 
was named in his honor. W. Oldenburg, the fa- 
ther of onr subject, was born in Hanover, Ger- 
many, in 1806, and departed this life there in 
1851*. Henry W. was .also a native of the above 
place, where his birth occurred in 1844. He emi- 
grated to America in 18G5, embarking on the sail- 
ing-vessel "Marco Polo," which landed him in Bal- 
timore, Md. From that cit}' he went to Washing- 
ton, D. C, later to Rockville, IMd., where he 
worked at tiie stone-cutter's tr.ade, receiving .as 
wages from 14 to ^5 per day. 

In 1872 our subject removed to St. Louis, where 
he was one of the workmen on St. Peter's Church, 
and later embarked in business for himself in that 
city. After selling out he came to this county 
and established himself in business in Mitchell, 
but a year later removed to Oldenburg. He then 
went to Nameoki, where he remained for five 
years and finally returned to this place, where he 
erected a fine large residence, which he is using at 
the present time as a hotel. He is also the owner 
of a store and saloon opposite tlie hotel. Mr. 
Oldenburg is the possessor of one hundred and 
forty-two .acres of land in tlie town and is carry- 
ing on an extensive business as a general mer- 
chant. In politics he is a Democrat and was ap- 



278 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPIITCAL RECORD. 



|>()iiili'il Postiiiaslcr in IS'.li'. Mr. ( )|(li'iiluii'<^ is n 
shrewd business iii;ui ;in(l is rapidly iiciiiiiiinj; 
fjiiiio and weallli. 

The Di'igiiinl of this skcloli was married April 
25, 1H82, to Miss Aliee, (iaugiiter of Marion and 
Ciiristinc Naurolli. Tlie (tarenls of Mrs. Oldun- 
hiirs were married in Kast St. Louis in 1HG2 and 
reared two children, hotii of whom are deceased. 
Ciiristinc was the twin of Alice and died in 188C. 
Mrs. Ohlenliurg departed tiiis life February 24, 
18'.M. Her parents were horn in Germany, the 
father January G, 1823, and the mother October 
4, 182G. Till- former was a stone-cutter by trade 
and in 18;il left ids native land with his parents, 
going to the West Indies, where tlicy worked on 
coffee and sugar plantations. In 1845 Mr. Nau- 
roth came to America, sailing on an English man- 
of-war from the island of .lamaiea. 



I 



■ I' i i» ' I ' 



n * I I * ■ la ^ i^ t m 



J I OHM P. ANDER.SON. The life of this gcn- 
I tleinan furnishes an example of what a man 
, with brains and business ability can accom- 
' plish by persistence, sagacity snid industry. 

In the practical residts, his career is an encourage- 
ment to every struggling young man who has am- 
bition and resolution. The seed that he has sown 
has fallen upon good ground and has grown and 
brought forth an huiulicd fold. He is at present 
one of the most successful farmers in Madison 
Co\inty, ami makes his home on section .'52, Col- 
linsville Tf)wnship, whore he has four hundred 
broad and well cultivated acres. 

C)ur subject is a native of this county, and was 
born in 18IU; to .lohn and Susan (Creamer) Ander- 
son. The father was a native of New Jersey, and 
came to this state the year il was a<lmittcd into 
the I'nion, making location upon a farm on section 
."52, which he cultivated until his decease, in 1876. 
His good wife, the mother of our subject, was born 
in St. Louis, Mo., and departed this life in 18G8. 
John 1'., (if this sketch, was given a fine educa- 
tion, attending the common sclioids of Collinsville 
until reaching his eighteenth year, when he went 
to the Mound City and entered the university, 



wliei<' lie carried on his .studies for two years. 
After completing his education, he returned to his 
home in this county and engaged in fanning, 
which he has made his life work. He is now the 
jiroprietor of four hundred acres of land, excel- 
lently improved, and in addition to raising the 
various grains, makes a specialty of potatoes. He 
also has on his place a number of thoroughbred 
animals, from the sale of which he derives a hand- 
some income. He has erected on his estate all the 
necessary barns and oiilliiiildings, and the resi- 
dence is a subsUuitial and modern structure, sup- 
plied with ever}' convenience, which makes of it 
a model homo. 

Our subject was united in marriage in l.HfJl, to 
Miss Josephine, daughter of N. 15. and Louisa 
(Dutch) Thompson, natives of this stale. Of the 
children born to their union, two are deceased. 
Those living are, Susan, who married Edward T. 
Eustick, and lives in St. Louis, Mo.; Hello and 
Maude, at home; Sydnej', engaged as clerk in St. 
Louis; Don, who also makes his home in that city; 
Ilattic, Joseph and Ollie. at home with their [lar- 
ents. 

Mrs. Anderson is a valued and working member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and is honored and 
respected by all who know her. Our subject is a 
Democrat. He is very much interested in all things 
looking toward the improvement of this section, 
and takes a high rank among the substantial resi- 
dents of the county. 



H I |l | >l >l I I I 



****^»"^^r^* 



^^^OTLEIB CHARLES IIE.SS, formerly a well- 

jll ( — , to-do citizen of Chouteau Townshii>. was 
%^( accidentally killed in 1888, in St. Louis, 
Mo., where the team he was driving beoame fright- 
ened by the cable cars and ran away. He was 
born in (termany in 1M.'57, and was there engaged 
in farm pursuits until coming to America in 1«5;?. 
He landed in New Orleans, whence he made his 
way up the river to .St. Louis, and from that city 
came to Chouteau Township, this county, where 
he found work on a farm. 

Mr. Hess w.as married in 1856 to Miss Louisa 
Bernhardt, who departed this life three years later. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



279 



Our subject chose as his second coin|>anion Miss 
Charlotte P)runne, tlic daughter of Philip and 
Charlotte IJrunne, and the ceremony wiiich made 
them one was performed in 1800. Mrs. Hess at 
the time of her marriage had forty acres of land, 
which was enciimbciiil, but under the management 
of her husband the mortgage was soon [laid, and 
the acreage increased. Mr. IIcss at his death left 
her ninety-three acres of land in Chouteau Town- 
ship, and a tract of one hundred and twenty acres 
ill Kdwardsvillc Townshiii. 

To our subject and his wife there were born nine 
children, five of whom are living. Dora the wife 
of Fred P.arme\er, resides in St. Louis; Charles, 
born in l.SOl, married Dora Urns, and lives in 
WaiKia, this state; L(juis, born in 1863, resides 
with his mother; Lena, born in 1872, is the w.fe of 
Mike Link and is living in Mitchell, and George, 
born in 187 1, is at home. They have all been given 
good educations, and (Jeorge is at present attend- 
ing a business college in St. Louis, it being his am- 
bition to fit himself for a l)usinoss life and abandon 
farm pursuits. Mrs. Iless deserves great credit for 
the admiralile manner in which she has conducted 
the estate since her husband's death; she is a lady 
greatly beloved by her family and numerous warm 
friends in the neighborhood. 



1^ •t ^ m l ,i^U, 



'^' OIIN SCHOON, a leading farmer and one 
of the oldest German residents of Pin Oak 
Tovvnshi|), was l)orn near Hamburg, Ger- 
inan3', December 23, 1845. His parents 
were John and Minnie (Shipher) Schoon, natives 
of Hottland, Germany, the former being born Feb- 
ruary 28, 181i). and the latter March 4, 1817. 

The elder Mv. and Mrs. Schoon came to the 
United States in 1874, being six weeks in coming 
from P.remen to New York. They were the parents 
of live children, of whom the only daughter died 
in infancy. 'J'Le journey to America was made in 
company with their foursons, and after landing, the 
entire family made their way directly to St. Louis, 
Mo., where the}' remained for the following two 



years. Their next removal w.as made to this coun- 
ty, where tiie mother departed this life February 
13, 1887. The father is still liviiigat an advanced 
age. The paternal grandfather of our subject was 
John Schoon, also a native of the Fatherland, 
where he spent his entire life. The mother of our 
subject was the daughter of Cassius and LouLsa 
Shipher, who lived and died in their native land, 
Germany. 

John, of this sketch, remained under the ])a- 
rental roof until a lad of fifteen years, when he 
started out to make a living for himself, his first 
work being in a brick yard. lie was married Octo- 
ber 28, 1880, to Miss Louise Feldmever. When 
first putting to practical use his knowledge of 
fanning, ISIr. Schoon rented a small tract of land, 
and at the end of six years, b}' characteristic en- 
ergy and econoni}', was enabled to become the 
owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. 

Mrs. Schoon is the daughter of Fred W. and 
Sophia F. (Moeller) Feldmeyer, and was liorn in 
St. Louis, Mo., .January 27, 18.59. Her father was 
a native of the Prussian province of Westphalia, 
and was born on the 20th of February, 1825, to 
Adol|)h and Elizabeth (Buesemeier) Feldmeyer, 
who came to America in 1838. I'he latter couple 
stopped for some weeks in Baltimore, Md., whence 
they walked to Wheeling, and took passage on a 
steamer which coiivejed them to St. Louis. Adolph 
Feldmeyer remained in that city until 18G2, in the 
meantime working at his trade, that of a carpenter. 
Eberhart Feldmeyer, the great-grandfather of Mrs. 
Schoon, died in the Mound City at the age of fifty- 
four years, and his good wife survived him many 
years, passing away in the .same cit}- after having 
reached the age of three-score years and ten. 

The original of this sketch is a stanch Repub- 
lican in politics, and cast his first Presidential vote 
for U. S. Grant. He is essentially a self-made 
man, having started in life with nothing but a de- 
termination to succeed. He can now look hack on 
his record with pride, knowing that he li.as made 
every dollar which he calls his own, and that, too, 
by hone.-5t means. 

Of the union of our subject and his wife there 
were born seven childnMi, six of whom are living: 
Minnie C, born August 17, 1881; Emma H., born 



aso 



PORTRAIT AND HIOORAPIIICAL RECORD 



Oc-U>l>er 2, 1871), and (liiil .liilv 2:5, \HHit: Anna ,1., 
born March Hi, IHHG; !• ivdcriik C, August 1, 
1888; Louisa S., I'Vl.ruary IC). IH'.MI; John I... Au- 
ffusl 2, IX'.M; and W'Mlter A.. Novcnilici- 1,T, \H\K\. 



»*— - 



wiB l 



-^=55) 



i>-^^<^=^- 



f^^ KNia KR'KMANN, wlio stands in tlio 
y front rank of the prosperous and inllni-ntial 
agriculturists of I'in Oak Township, Madi- 
r^ SOU Oount}', is tiie owner of one liundred 
and sixty acres of finely cultivated land, lie is a 
native of this township and count.\-. and was born 
January 28, 18G5. llis parents were John and Anna 
(Hrados) Eickmann, natives of Hanover, Germany, 
who came to the I'liiled States in 1845 and located 
in this county. The father died here in 1888, 
when sixty-nine years of age, mourned by many. 
The good mother is still living and makes her 
home in Marine Township with her son Louis, of 
whom a sketch is written elsewhere in this Ri:ooiii>. 

Our sid>ject has always made his home in this 
county, and received his earl^' education in the dis- 
trict schools near his father's home. He was married 
Novendier 27, 188'.), to Miss Mary C. Slrasen, who 
was born in this township May 29, 18Gi), and is 
the daughter of Carl and Louisa (Miller) Strasen. 
The parents of Mrs. Eickmann, of whom a further 
history is given elsewhere in this Iniok, reside 
near our subject. To Mr. and Mrs. Eickmann 
have been born three children: Louisa A., born 
August 23, 18'.M); Anna A.. July 17. 18!(2; and 
Carl II., June 23, 18;il. 

I'pon the death of his father, which occurred 
soon after his marriage, our subject received one 
hundred and sixty acres, on which he carries on 
mixed farming. Mr. Eickmann has two brothel's 
and sisters yet living of the eight children born 
to his parents. I'olitically he has always cast his 
l>allot in favor of the candidates of the Republi- 
can parly. For many years he and his estimable 
wife have been idenlilicd with the Lutheran Church 
and have been prominent and benevolent in church 
work. Mr. I'".ickinann is always found on the side of 
right, and his inlluence and support are ever given 
to those enterprises which are calculated to piDiiiote 



the best iiiteresis (if ilii; communitv. In his busi- 
ness dealings he has been successful, his good niaii- 
agtMiieiit, enterprise and fair and upright course 
winning iiiin a liandsome competence, which num- 
bers him among the substantial citizens of the 
C(>iniiiiinity. 

The parents of Mrs. Eickmanii were both born 
in I ieniiaiiy , but were inaiiied in this conntiy. 
They make tlieir home in this county, the father 
being the possessor uf llu' large estate on which lie 
resides. They had lioin to them a family of twelve 
childien, nine of whom are still surviving, till lull 
three being married aii<l having families of tlu'ir 
own. 



:^#C^ 



ENRY OEIIRS, Supervisorof Marine Town- 
1 ship, was elected to that (losition in the 
-^ spring of 1889. Until 1888 he was one of 
(^1 the prominent merchants of Marine, having 
in that year retired from active life. With his 
family he occupies a high position socially and is 
ranked among the most substantial citizens of 
Madison County. A native of the Fatherland, Mr. 
dehrs was born in Hanover, September H, 1832, 
and is the son of Henry and Caroline (Warneke) 
Gelii-s, also natives of the above place. The 
former was a Uiilor by trade, and on coming to 
America, in 181G, located in St. Louis, Mo., where 
he was thus cng.iged until his decease, in 18Gt). 
His good wife survived him nine years, when she 
too passed away. 

Henry, of this sketch, was the only child of his 
parent*, and was a lad of fourteen yeai-s ;it the 
time of emigrating to the New World. He was 
given a fair education in his native tongue, and 
having learned his father's trade, worked for him 
until attaining llis eighteenth year, when he en- 
tered the employ of other merchant tailors. In 
the spring of 18,')7 Mr. Gelirs came to this village 
and for tlnee years thereafter was obliged to aban- 
don work of any kind on .account of ill health. 
In 18G3, however, he opened a saloon in the place, 
which he conducted until 187G, and then sold out 
to engage in general merchandising. He devoted 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD- 



281 



his cnei-g>' and talents to making this a success, 
and in 1H88 tinned tiie business over to the man- 
agement of his two sons, who are enterprising and 
capable young men. 

In 1855 the mairiage of our subject occurred 
with Miss Frcdcricka Kreutzberg, also a native of 
Hanover, who came with iier family to America in 
1849 and located in the Mound City, where the 
father died. By her union with our subject Mrs. 
Gelirs has become the mother of five children: Otto 
C; Oscar II., who married Louisa Deitz and makes 
bis home in Marine; Ilenrj' II., I'redericka and 
Ottilic. 

The family of our subject are members in good 
standing of the Evangelical Church, in which Mr. 
Gehrs has held many of the olliccs, and his daugh- 
ters are teachers in the .Sunday-sciiool. His inter- 
est in educational affairs ha» caused him to serve 
on the Board for many years, and he also oc- 
cupied the i)osition of I'resident of the Village 
Board for the first two years under the general 
charter. He is a member of the Treubund Lodge 
of Marine, of which he was Treasurer for ten years. 
In politics he is a strong Republican and was 
elected on that ticket to his i)resent [tosition as 
Supervisor in 1889. He has been School Treas- 
urer for the past thirteen years, and served for 
three years as Collector of Marine Township. He 
is very popular throughout the entire county, and 
his record is that of a man interested in all pub- 
lic improvements and one possessed of a clear per- 
ception and decided character. 



^(S^ 



=^> 




TILLWELL G. MERRILL, M. D., who is 
successfully engaged in tiie practice of 
medicine in Collinsville, is (.me of the wide- 
awake and progressive citizens of the com- 
munitj' and takes a prominent part in public af- 
fairs. He claims Michigan as the state of his na- 
tivity. He was born in Jack.son, June 26, 1845, 
aiid is the younger of two children, whose parents 
were James and Elizabeth (Still well) Merrill. His 
father was born in Rutland, Vt., and in an early 



day emigrated to Michigan, where he followed the 
occupation of farming during the greater part of 
the time until called to the home beyond. His 
death occurred in 1890, at the advanced age of 
eighty-five 3ears. His estimable wife was born in 
Johnstown, N. Y., and departed this life in 1882. 
They were most highly respected peojile and had 
many friends in the community in which they 
lived. 

Dr. Merrill acquired his primary education in 
the city of his birth and earl}' in life it became his 
desire to practice medicine. To this end he began 
studying when fifteen jears of age, and three years 
later went to St. Louis and placed himself under 
the i)receptorship of Prof. William Todd Ilelmuth, 
who is now I'resident of the New York Homeo- 
pathic Medical College. In 1867, when twenty 
years of age. Dr. Merrill was graduated from the 
Missouri Homeopathic Medical College of St. 
Louis, where he at once entered u|)on the practice 
of his |)rofession. There he remained for two 
years, after which he lemovcd to Dowagiac, Mich., 
where he opened an office and continued to prac- 
tice for two years. His next location was in Mo- 
berly. Mo., where he did a successful business for 
ten years. On the expiration of thai period bis 
health failed him and he gave up practice for 
nearly two years. He then located in Nevada, 
Mo., where he opened an oHice and spent one 
year, after which he came to Madison Count}', 
settling in Collinsville, in 1884. Here he has 
since made his home, and has conducted a large 
and lucrative practice, which from the beginning 
has constantly increased. He is now the only 
homeopathic physician in this city. 

A marriage ceremony performed in the year 
1875 united the destinies of Dr. Meirill and Miss 
Julia Hoffman, daughter of Frederick Hoffman, a 
native of Saxony, Germany, who on emigrating to 
America took up his residence in Missouri, and 
afterward came to Collinsville. To the Doctor 
and his wife have been born three sons, all of 
whom are yet living, namely: Stillwell F., who is 
attending college in St. Louis; Horace C, at home; 
and Julius W., who completes the family. 

The Doctor is a'memberof the Episcopal Church, 
and his vvife belongs to the Lutheran Church. They 



282 



I'OUTUAIT AND BIOGUAIMIICAL RKCORO. 



iKrupy :in I'li vial)li.' imsilion in soiial i-iiclcs and 
have iiian\ waiiii fiii'iitls, who e.sU'cin Ihcm hi<j:hly 
for Ihi'ir sterling worth and many exeullencies of 
character. In politics l)i'. Merrill is a Democrat 
and is an active worker in the parly. At this 
writing he is serving as Alderman of the Fourth 
Ward. He is now connected with the Merrill An- 
tidotal Cure Company of C'ollin.svilie, the ollleers 
of which are V. F. Sepmire, President; .1. II. Keh- 
len heck, Vice-President; and S. (i. Merrill, Secre- 
tary and business managei-. In manner he is a 
genial gentleman, of |)leasing address, and through- 
out this community he has gained not only many 
friends, hut also u lilicial practice. 



.^^ 



(^ 






■©) 



yrlLLIAM J. RIATTIIKWS, who isat present 
Mayor of CoIlinsvilU', is a native of tiie 
\^^/ Old Dominion. He was liorn near Lvneli- 



burg, \i\., March 7, 1822, and is the eldest child in 
the family of I'lioinas and Sarah (Wiley) Matthews, 
who were also natives of (Jernian}'. There the 
mother spent her entire life, and the father pas.sed 
aw.ay in Nashville, Tenii., in liS;!2, leaving our 
subject an cirphan at the age of ten years. Five 
years later William Matthews came to Illinois. 
His cducjltional privileges were limited to forty 
days' attendance at a school taught in the Ameri- 
can liottoms by a Mr. Uenedict. He was early 
thrown upon his own resources and has since made 
his way in the world unaided. When he reached 
St. Louis he had only (ifly cents in his piicket, but 
lie possessed a courageous and di'tcrniined b|iirit 
and has made the most v( his opportunities and 
privileges through life. 

In 1837 Mr. Matthews came to Madison Coun- 
ty, and Imsliveil in CoUinsville and vicinity since. 
He followed farming for a number of years, but at 
length abandoned that occu|>atioii and in 1H|;) 
built a llouriug mill at CoUinsville, which he cai- 
ried on for a number of years. He then embarked 
in general lucrchaudisiiig, and was thus engaged 



for some years. He has been an active business 
man throughout life. He was early forced to 
learn lessons of economy and industry, and experi- 
ence taught him the value of time well spent. 

In 18i;! Ml'. Matthews was united in marriage 
with Miss Lizzie Phillips, but her death occurred 
seven months later. In 184(i he married Miss 
Lottie Swigert, who died about a year later. In 
1850 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
Greenlee. 'I'licir unitm was blessed with a family of 
five children, four of whom are yet living. Alice, 
became the wife of Theodi're Kneedler, of Col- 
linsville; .lames, who makes his home in the same 
city, married Addie Howler, and after her death 
wedded Fannie llaiilon; Lorene is the wife of Jas- 
per Meador, a (iovernment ollicial, who lives in 
Cincinnati; and Charles, who married Lizzie Snow- 
grass, resides in CoUinsville. The mother of this 
family w.is called to the home beyond in 1892. 

For forty years Mr. Matthews has been con- 
nected with the Methodist Church as a consistent 
and faithful member. In politics he has been a 
life-long Democrat and is now serving his fourth 
term ,as Mayor of CoUinsville, a fact which well 
indicates promptness and lidellty to duty. He is 
recognized as one of the prominentand influential 
citizens of this coinmunity. For twenty-tive years 
he has been a member of the School Hoard, and 
the cause of education linds in him a warm frieii(L 
His life has been well and worthily spent, and his 
example might be prolitably followed by many. 



+= 



^+ 



* * A K r I N F. AUWAHTEK. Numbered 
among the important enterprises of Troy 




is the iiu'icanlile establishiiu'iit founded 
by Mr. Auwarler in December, 1872, 
and now the largest gener.al store In the place. 
His father having been a merchant, lie gained in 
youth a lliorongh training in the business, and his 
experience was afterward increased by two years' 
travel as conimercial salesman. Such has been the 
I integrity with which he has conducted his enter- 



PORTEAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



^83 



prises and the unvarying reliability of his trans- ' 
actions, that lie has gained a position among the 
representative merchants of the county. 

Born in Baltimore, Md., July 17, 1848, our sub- 
ject is the eldest child of Charles F. and Louisa 
(Zier) Auwarter. The father, who was born in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1820, emigrated to 
America in 184G, and settling in Ballimoi'e, was 
tlicre united in marriage, in the early part of 1847, 
with Louisa Zier, who came from Wurtemberg to 
Baltimore about the same time as did he. An ex- 
pert mechanic, he was employed in the William 
Knabe piano factor^' at Baltimore until 1853, 
when he came west to Illinois. At Blue Island, 
near Chicago, he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness until 1857, when lie removed to St. Louis and 
engaged in business for one year. In the fall of 
1858 he came to Troy, where he spent the remain- 
der of his life, dying in August, 1879. He was 
the youngest of a family of six children, and the 
first of the number who died. His good wife died 
in 1862. 

The only brother of our subject, Charles Rich- 
ard, the younger of the two, died in 188G. For 
years he was closely identified with the business 
interests of Troy and vicinity, and was the first 
Tax Collector elected in .Jarvis Township after the 
county was organized under the township laws. 
Martin F. obtained his education princi|ially in the 
public schools of Troy, and earl\' in life showed an 
inclination toward a mercantile career. At the 
age of twenty-three he went on the road as com- 
mercial traveler for a St. Louis house, being thus 
engaged for two years. 

As above stated, Mi-. Auwarter embarked in busi- 
ness for himself in December, 1872, since which 
time he has conducted an ever increasing trade 
with the people of Troy and the vicinity. lie es- 
tablished domestic ties November 13, 1873, at 
which lime he was united with Mary A., daughter 
of Caleb and Sarah K. (Knsmcnger) Johnson, the 
latter having been numbered among the earliest 
settlers of Troy. Four children were born to this 
union, the youngest of whom died at the age of 
two years and eight months. Those living are, 
Charles C, Robert F. and Cora L. Charles C. is 
engaged in the printing business in St. Louis, and 



the other two reside with their father. Mrs. Mary 
A. Auwarter died in 1887. 

The second marriage of our subject occurred 
August 26, 1890, his wife being Ella M. Osborn, 
daughter of the Rev. James Osborn, of Ui)per Al- 
ton, 111. In religious connections, Mr. Auwarter 
afliliates with the Presbyterian Church, to which 
his first wife also belonged, while his present wife 
is a member of the Baptist Church. In political 
views he is a Democrat, but though active in local 
affairs, has never aspired to political honors. He 
has, however, been chosen to represent his fellow- 
citizens in a number of offices of trust, in all of 
which he has rendered efficient service. 



-^ 







AMES M. TAYLOR, a farmer on section 9, 
Jarvis Township, is a representative of 
one of the substantial families of Madison 
J County. He devotes his entire time and 
attention to agricultural pursuits and has a com- 
fortable residence on his farm, in the rear of which 
are all the other necessar}' outbuildings. 

Our subject was born near Troy, this state, in 
1851, and is the youngest member in the family of 
James II. and Susan A. (Swiggert) Taylor. The 
father was born in Pennsylvania and lived in that 
state until reaching his twenty-fourth year, when 
he went to St. Louis and worked for some time at 
the carpenter's trade. Later he followed boat car- 
pentering on the Mississipyji River, and in 1847 
located in this county. Here he purchased farm- 
ing land and was engaged in its cultivation until 
his decease, which occurred in 1868. His good 
wife, the mother of our subject, was born in Ohio 
and survived her liusbaiid thirteen years. 

James M. Taylor, of this sketch, attended the 
public schools of Madison County until attaining 
his seventeenth year, when he became a student in 
the Chicago University. He remained there for 
two years, and returning home at the end of that 
time located on a farm, and with the exception of 



284 



two years spfiil in Texas, lias over since been en- 
gaj^ed in farm piiisuils. His CsUilc comprises one 
hundred acres, and under liis energetic efTorts lias 
been placed under a high stale of cultivation, and 
the farm now ranks anion;; the finest in tiie town- 
ship. Our subject was married in 187G to Miss 
Lucy .)., daughter of Thomas and Nancy . I. (Mont- 
gomery) Harnsbaciv, early residents of Madison 
County. Their union has been blessed by the 
birth of the following seven children: Kdith, Fan- 
nie, Thomas, .lames, William, J'aul and Bessie. In 
politics Mr. Taylor is a Democrat. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAL RKCORD. 



=) 



€+^ 



ES- 




ll.XKl.KS I'XKART. wlio devotes iiis time 
and energies to agricultural pursuits, makes 
his home on section 2.5, C'ollinsville Town- 
ship, Madison County. lie was boi'n m St. Louis, 
Mo., in the year 1833, and is of German descent. 
His parents, Conrad and Anna Kckart, were both 
natives of Bavaria, wore there reared and married, 
and about 1832 came to the New World. They 
lived in the suburbs of St. Louis during the greater 
part of their remaining days, but in the latter part 
of their lives came to Illinois, and both died at 
the home of their youngest child, Charles Eckart, 
of this sketch. 

Our subject acquired his education in the public 
schools of his native city, and during much of his 
boyhood and youth worked with his fatiier, who 
was a gardener. At the age of twenty-three he 
started out in life for himself, coming to Illinois. 
He located on the farm where he now resides, and 
has since engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
now owns one hundred acres of beautiful land, 
pleasantly and conveniently situated about three 
miles from the city of Collinsville. He gives his 
undivided attention to gardening and fruit-grow- 
ing, and in this branch of his business luus met with 
good success. He sends to the market line fruits 
and vegetables, and thus (inds a ready sale for his 
products. He is (juitc prominent lx>th as a farmer 
and citizen. 

In 1855 Mr. Kckart was united in marriage 
with .Miss Fredericka lUIe, of St. Louis. Her par- 
ents were born in r>run>wick, Germany, as was the 



daughter, but they crossed the .\ll:intic to the 
New World when Mrs. Kckart was (piite small, 
taking up their residence in St. Louis. By 
the marriage of our subject and Ins wife were 
born twelve chihlren, three of whom are now de- 
ceased. Those yet living are, Minnie, wife of 
.lolin Kalbtlirsh, of Collinsville; Annie, at h<)me; 
Kicka, who is the wife of .lohn Wendler, and re- 
sides at home; Louisa, who is a widow and is still 
at home; Charles, who operates the home farm; 
George, who is engaged in the drug business in St. 
Louis; Richard, who is attending college in that 
city; and Hildegardc, who completes the family. 
Mr. Kckart, his wife and children. all hold inem- 
bershii) with the Lutheran Church. In his politi- 
cal views he is a Republican, and w.uiiil\- advo- 
cates the principlesof the party. For nearly eigh- 
teen years he has been a member of the School Board , 
and has done effective service in the interests of 
education. He has also been Iligliway Commis- 
sioner for eleven years, and his long continuance 
in ollice indicates his lidelity to duly and the con- 
fidence and trust re()Osed in iiim by bis fellow- 
townsmen. He is highly esteemed by his neigh- 
bors, and has a large circle of warm friends in the 
county, who we feel assured will !«■ pK'ased to re- 
ceive this record of his life. 



^^=^>^^<l 






^5?1E0RGK BUCHTA is a native of llamel 
'II ^— , Township and is at present engaged in op- 
^^^4' crating the home farm, which lie leased 
from his father. It is located in the above town- 
ship and compares favorably in the way of iin|)i(ive- 
nicnts with many of the best estates in Madison 
County. The birth of our subject took jilacc May 
1, 1.S().3, and he is the son of .lohn and Sopha 
(Kaiser) Buchta, natives of (Icrinany; the father 
was born May 6, 1821, and the mother in January, 

182'.). Tiie parents are still living u] the old 

farm, advanced in years. 

.lohn Buchta set sail for the Cnited Slates in 
183'.) with his parents, who, after a short stay in 
the inelroiKilis, made their way to St. Louis, where 
his f.-ither died six weeks later. He then came with 
his niidlier to this cuiiiity, ami -lie too passed away 




MAJ. FRANKLIN MOORE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



287 



in Ilamel Township. The father of our sul)ject 
was niariied in 1853, and by liis linion with Miss 
Kaiser were born seven cliilrhen, of wlioni George 
was tlie fiftli in order of l)irtli. The eldest daugli- 
ter died in Ai)iil, 18'J:3, wliile living in Nebraska. 

Tiie fatlier of our subject started in life without 
a doUar, but being an old '49er lie made enough 
money out of tlie gold mines in California to pur- 
chase a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, 
which gave him a start in the world. It is located 
in Ilamel T(.)wnship and has since been in his pos- 
session. In 1868 he erected on it a beautiful resi- 
dence, which took the place of the log cabin in 
which the fainil3" made their home for so luaiy 
years. 

George was given as good an education as 
could be obtained in the district schools, and Sep- 
tember 12, 1893, was married to Miss Matilda L. 
Hill, also a native of this county, having been 
born in Ft. Russell Township, July 1, lUGb. Mr. 
Biichta has always resided on the home farm, 
which in company with his brother William he 
leased many 3ears ago. He is thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the best methods of agriculture, 
and by a inoper rotation of crojjs the soil is made 
to )'ield good returns. 

In politics our subject always votes the Rci)ub- 
lican ticket, as does also his honored father. The 
entire family are members of the Evangelical 
Church and lake great interest in all kinds of 
chuich work. 



G: 



M^ 



& 



1?^ 



-^ 



^ 



^Jfc AJ. FRANKLIN MOORE, one of the hon- 
/// iV ^^'^^ veterans of the late war and a resi- 
jjl IS) dent of Upper Alton, was born on section 
^ 1, townshii) y, range 'J, Madison County, 

on the |)lace now known as the Cartwright Farm, 
his birth occurring Seiitember 2, 182G. His father, 
Abel Moore, was born in Surry County, N. C, 
and was a son of ,Iolin Moore, a soldier of the 
War for lnde|)eudence. He was wounded at Ft. 
Pitt (now Pittsburg), and later tiled from the cf- 
10 



fects of his injury, lie was a native of South 
Carolina and of Welsh descent. 

In the spring of 1808 Abel Moore removed 
from Kentucky to Illinois, accompanied by his fa- 
ther, father-in-law, wife and two children. The 
party swam their horses across the Ohio River, 
near what is now Sniithland. Mr. Moore, with 
his wife and children, then left the others, who 
proceeded by the water route down the Ohio, 
and then u|) the Mississippi to the mouth of the 
Missouri River. On the bank of what is now 
known as East Alton Mr. Moore pitched his tent, 
but was so annoyed by mosquitos that he re- 
moved to an elevation, where later he iin[)roved a 
farm. Every day for two years he built a tire on 
the bank of the river as a signal to the other 
part}', who safely arrived at the expiration of 
that time, and a joyful reunion was held. At this 
point they began their labors toward the building 
up of a commonwealth. 

Upon the old Cartwright farm Mr. Moore en- 
gaged in agricultural |)ursuits until his death. In 
politics he was an old-school Democrat, and served 
as Commissioner of the county for twenty-live 
years. He served through the entire |)eriod of 
the War of 1812, being Captain of the Rangers. 
During that conflict he was appointed one of the 
Commissioners to treat with the Indians, with 
whom one-meeting was held at Rock Island and 
another at Portage des Sioux, Mo. When hostili- 
ties were terminated, a large number of Pottawat- 
tomie Indians came into this vicinity, and on the 
ajjpearance of the savages the settlers retreated 
to their block houses for defense. In this attack 
the wife and children of Reason Reagan were 
killed; also two children of Abel Moore, William 
and .Joel, aged ten and seven years respectively; 
and two children of William Moore, a brother of 
Abel. This is known as the Wood River Massacre 
and occurred July 10, 1814. Abel Moore died in 
February, 184G, and was buried in Maple Grove, 
where he first pitched his tent. 

Our subject's luolher, Maiy, vvas a daughter of 
William Bates, a native of South Carolina and of 
German descent. He was a soldier in the Revo- 
lutionary War under the direct command of Wash- 
ington, and also particiiiated in the War of 1812. 



288 



I'OKTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



He died in Mudisoii County about 1844. at the age 

of niiK'ty-.scvon yi'iiis. Our .suhjrcl is one of ten 
tliililiTn, of wlioiii tilt' ollicrs arc, William, Joel, 
Jolin; Nancy, wife of .leddiali Hediliii, of Cali- 
fornia; Sarali, who iiianicd .losepli Williaiiis; 
.)osiiua; Kacliel; Lydia, wife of Madison Williams 
aiul a icsideiil of this county; and Anna, who 
became the wife of Louis T. Ilamiltoii. All are 
deceased but Nancy, l^ydia and Fiaiikliii. 

The early life of Major Moore was siienl on the 
ol<l homestead, and after coiidiictiiig his studies 
in the lof? schoolhouses of that day, lie entered 
Shurtleflf College, where he remained for a time. 
After his father's death lie worked on his brother's 
farm and in his sawmill until the beginning of 
the war. June 22, 1861, he enlisted, and was mus- 
tered into service August 12 at Camp Butler, 
111., becoming a member of Company D, Second 
Illinois Cavalry. He was commissioned Captain 
of the company July 8, and went to the front with 
his command in September. They went into camp 
first at Alton, III., afterward at Camp Butler, 
thence proceeded to Carbondale, III., later to Me- 
tropolis, and from that pl.ace to Cairo. In obedi- 
ence to orders, he marched with the two companies, 
I) and F, to Cape (iirardeau to meet Jefferson 
Thompson, the Confederate commander. They 
engaged in battle on arriving at that point, and 
next participated in the engagement at Belmont, 
Mo., one of the liardest fought battles of that 
year. From Belmont the Major was sent to Ft. 
Holt, in Kentucky, where he served until F^eb- 
ruary, 1862, then being ordered to Sikeston, Mo. 
During this time he was engaged in several skir- 
mishes and two battles, one at 15landville and the 
other at F^lliott's Mills, where Grant ^vas in com- 
mand. While at .Sikeston he had several encoun- 
ters with the enemy, among them being the forces 
commanded by Jeff Thompson. He was engaged 
in a fight at New Madrid under Pope, at Tipton- 
ville, and at Point Pleasant, ]\Io., under the direct 
command of General Palmer. 

Major Moore was then ordered back to Sikeston, 
and went from there on a raid in southwestern 
Missouri, following the trail of Clabe Jackson, 
who was aiming to get to the Confederacy with 
the state papers. The latter were captured by our 



subject and returned to St. Louis. About thirty of 
Jackson 's men were also captured, but escaped. Ue- 
luining to New Madrid, the Major was placed in 
command of the post with two companies, and 
was obliged to look after six counties while there. 
He received a wound in the head which disabled 
him for a time. He had freijueiil lights and skir- 
mishes and captured over four thousand prisoners, 
besides killing as many of the enemy as he had 
troops. In November, 1862, he left that point, 
being ordered to Island No. 10 to hold the same 
temporarily. December II he arrived at Ft. Pil- 
low, Tenn., and remained at that point for nine 
months, having almost daily fights. He secured 
additional forces, six more companies of his regi- 
ment. At one time he made a night march with 
only eighty men against Colonel Uichardson, kill- 
ing thirty-four, wounding about the same number, 
and cai)turing three hundred and fifteen prisoners. 
The horses, arms and supplies were also confis- 
cated. This is known as the Knob Creek tight. 
Another encounter was with the notorious Gus 
Smith, who was constantly making war on the 
Union gunboats. He was killed in the skirmish 
and a number of his supporters taken captive. 
Colonel Cushman, one of the Confederate guer- 
rillas, and the Childress boys, noted desperadoes, 
also surrendered to Major Moore with all their 
command after hot skirmishes. He also caiituied 
General Bowen. With six companies he made a 
raid on a rebel camp in the night and captured 
about six hundred prisoners. 

Next being ordered to Memphis, the command 
participated in several engagements, and after 
a month's absence they returned to Ft. Pillow, 
strengthening the forces there. In the fall of 
1863 the Major was ordered to In ion City, 
Tenn., and continued there until about the 1st of 
F'ebruary, taking part in the engagements at Mer- 
ryweather's F'erry and Tipton, and being in al- 
most consUmt action. A hard fight .against For- 
rest lasted for three days, and then that general 
was driven back as far as West Point, Miss., where 
he made a stand and another desperate encounter 
followed. Our subject next proceeded to Memphis, 
whence with his command he started for New Or- 
leans, but was stopped at Baton Rouge La and 



PORTRAIT AND B10(JKAP1I'CAL RECORD. 



289 



stayed there for nine nioutbs. At this time he 
was promoted to tlie rank of Major, and was in 
charge of liis regiment. In November, 18G1, he 
was ordered to move on Mobile witli an expedi- 
tion commanded by General Davis, and on this 
raid of four days there was constant service. In 
December llie^- embarked on transports for New 
Orleans, and later embarked for Fensacola, Fla. 

While at Barancas the Major engaged in scout- 
ing expeditions, and then left his brigade with a 
sergeant and three companies of the Second, for 
the purpose of preventing re-enforcements from 
going into Mobile b}' way of the Montgomery & 
Mobile Railroad. At Gravely Station about two 
thousand rebels were captured. At Sparta they 
had a fight with the enemj', and numerous en- 
gagements followed in that locality. At one time 
the Major captured about six liundred of the 
enemy near Pollard, and at another time, in the 
advance on Ft. Blakely, after a running fight about 
seven hundred prisoners were captured. He was 
next ordered to Ft. Claybourn, where after a brief 
eng.agement one thousand prisoners were taken. 
Being ordered to Union Sfu'lngs to intercept Gen- 
eral Pillow, who was reported to have a large 
stock of commissary sui)plies, he met the enemy 
and secured the surrender of the general and his 
entire staff. This was one of the last engage- 
ments of the war, occurring on April 15, 1865. 
While on a raid with Gen. A. .J. Smith and his 
command, he learned of Lincoln's assassination 
and Lee's surrender. He was successively sent to 
Tuscaloosa, Vicksburg, San Antonio, and the Rio 
Grande, being mustered out at San Antonio in 
Noveniber of 1865. He participated in one hun- 
dred and nine engagenients, not including skir- 
mishes, and at one time was one hundred and live 
days and nights in the saddle. 

Returning home by way of Galveston, Major 
Moore again took up (teaceful pursuits and de- 
voted his attention to farming on the old home- 
stead, where he lived until 1876. He then pur- 
chased property in Upi)er Alton, where he has 
since resided. June 4, 1840, he married Talitha 
Elliott, of Bunker Hill, III., the daughter of Isaac 
and Feriba (Williams) Flliolt, natives of Knox- 
ville, Tenn. By this union have been born the 



following children: Isaac, now a physician at 
AVichita Falls, Tex.; Ellen, wife of Siiields Truett, 
of Wichita Falls: John, a farmer near the same 
city; Mary, who is the wife of Ilezekiah Rupert, 
a merchant in San Francisco; Emma, who died in 
1864, and P'rank, of Chicago, who is assistant edi- 
tor of the Drovers' Journal and the Chicago Sun. 
Mrs. Moore died M.ay 31, 1872. 

The Major still owns a portion of the old farm, 
a farm on the Woodburn road, and real estate in 
Upper Alton. He is now living retired, but still 
keeps up his love for the boys in blue, being a 
member of Post No. 444, G. A. R. In politics he 
is a Republican. Sociall}', he belongs to the Ma- 
sonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows. Few men have seen more active service 
in the defense of the Union, and as one of the 
veterans who suffered so much in the late war, he 
merits the high [naise of his fellow-citizens. 



l@_ 



,._^ 



»}»^«{*^»^«^«^*^»^*|««j«y i | «i | i»{«i j « 



(^ 



^ 



■jflOHN II. KUHLENBECK. Many of the 
prominent citizens of Madison County have 
^^ emigrated hither from foreign Lands, and 
\K^^ among them arc some of the sUilwait sons 
of the Fatherland. With a keen intuition they 
have foreseen future prosperity in America, such 
as never could be obtained in their own land, 
and coming across the ocean, have almost invaria- 
bly been successful in their undertakings. Of this 
thriving class Mr. Kuhlenbeck furnishesa represen- 
tative, being prominent in the city of Collins- 
ville as one of its general merchants. 

Our subject was born near Osuabruck, in the 
kingdom of Hanover, Germany, in 1831, and is 
the eldest in the family of John and Catherine 
(Ellinghaus) Kuhlenbeck. The parents were also 
natives of the Fatherland, from which they emi- 
grated to the New World in 1845, when our sub- 
ject was in his thirteenth year. On landing in 
America they made their way directly to St. Louis, 



290 



rOKTHAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



where tlie father departed this life two years later. 
His wife survived iiiiii many years and lived to be 
seventy -six years vU\. 

.Idlin II., of this siioU'li, attended the schools of 
his native eountry until the lime of leaving Ger- 
many, and l)y spceial i>erniit was coiilirmcd before 
emigratinfj for his new ht)nie. On locating in the 
Mound City he entered the emiiloy of a cigar man- 
ufacturer, and after serving an apprenticesliiii of 
two and one-half years he opened up a cigar and 
tobacco establishment of his own, doing a retail 
business for two years. Later going to Chicago, 
he worked at his trade in thai city for six months 
and then returned to St. Louis. (Soon thereafter, 
in 18.")2, he came to CoUinsville, where he opened 
an establishment and began the manufacture of 
cigars. To this he soon added general merchan- 
dising and h.as since conducted a piofitable trade. 
He carries an extensive stock of all those articles 
needed in both city and country families and is 
recognized as one of the most sultslanlial mer- 
chants of southern Illinois. Mr. Kuhlenbeck is 
Secretary and Treasurer of the Merrill Antidotal 
Cure Comjjan}', which manufactures two specific 
remedies, one for diplilheria and the other for 
rheumatism. 

.lohn Kuhlenlieck was married in 1851 to Miss 
Eda Heimsolh, a native of Benton County, Mo. 
This lad}- only survived nine months after her 

* 

marriage, and in 1857 our subject w.as married to 
Mrs. Christina (Lang) Diiensing, whose parents 
lived and died in (iermany. Their union resulted 
in the birth of seven children, of whom those liv- 
ing are: Amelia, the wife of F. C. Metz, of this 
city; Christina, now Mrs. William Fischer, who re- 
sides in St. Louis, Mo.; Ilcnr^', who also makes his 
home in that city and who married Anna Belle 
Ilepplewhite, of Alton, this state; August, who re- 
sides in this city and who married Anna Stephens, 
a native of Lehigh, Iowa; and Louisa and Carl, at 
home. 

Our subject and his wife and faniil}- arc members 
in good standingdf the Lutheran Church. In politics 
he is a stanch Republican and takes an active inter- 
est in the success of his party. He was appointed 
Postmaster during the administration of President 
Lincoln, which position he satisfactorily filled for 



six years. He has also been a memlKr of tlie City 
Council, and served a period of fourteen years on 
the Board of Kducatit)n. He is a man who weighs 
carefully all matters brought before liim for con- 
sideration and when once he lias arrived al a deci- 
sion is (inn in adhering to the same, lie is pub- 
lic spirited, and deeply interested in all movements 
which promise to advance the niateilal or moral 
prosperity of the citizens. 




KV. FATIIKU IIKNKY WU !KNS THIN, 
pastor of St. Klizabeth's Church in .Ma- 
rine, is a native of DronsUiiifurl, West- 
V^ plialia, (iermany, his birth occurring .luly 
10, 1813. He was a son of Everhard and Clara 
(llinnemaiin) Kggeiisteiii, also natives of West- 
phalia, where they spent their entire lives. The 
father was well-to-do in this world's goods and 
was a Government ollicial on a railroad. 

The parental family of our subject included two 
children, of whom his sister Anna, now Mrs. Hans- 
meyer, makes her home in the Fatherland. 'I'lie 
subject of this sketch received his education in 
Mnenster, Westphalia, and after taking the entire 
course in that cit}' was ordained a priest at the 
same place in 1869. He came to America and 
went directly to Alton, 111., where he arrived Oc- 
tober 2, 18C9. He was appointed .assistant priest 
at St. Boniface Church in tiuincy,and six months 
later was made pastor of the congregation of St. 
Joseph's Cluirch at Cailinville. 

Our subject came to Marine in September, 1877,' 
having been appointed pastor of the congregation 
here, and h.is remained in charge of St. Flizabelli 
since that time. 'I'lie church was organized March 
31, 1856, by August Fersen, Jacob Brockhaus 
and Patrick Carroll. It then comprised about fif- 
teen families, and the subscription list was esti- 
mated at ^1,500. The first building which was 
erected was built of brick, ."MxoO feet in dimen- 
sions. This was in 1857, and twenty-six years 
later the edifice was torn down and the present 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArHICAL RECORD. 



291 



elegant structure was erected, wliicli ivS 38x82 feet, 
and is tinislicd witli a sjiiie one hundred and ten 
feel liigli. It contains two vestiy rooms and cost 
about i!lO,000. It ia fuinislied with a fine pipe or- 
gan, three carved altars and a three-bell chime. Our 
subject gives his entire time to ills congregation, 
and it has been largely tlirough his efforts tliat it 
is now in such a prosperous condition. A brick 
schoolhouse was built in 1877, where is taught En- 
glish, German and music and is presided over by a 
sister of the Most Precious IMood. The priest is 
loved and looked up to by all of his families, fifty 
in number, and is a devout worker in the Church 
of Rome, conscientiously living up to wiiat he 
believes to be rigiit. 



♦^^S 



m^ 



j;h 



'OIIN BRADEN has been Justice of the 
Teace of Chouteau Township for the past 
four years. For a period of twelve years 
' he served as Constable, and for three years 
ns Highway Commissioner, lie is at i)resent living 
in Mitchell. Isaac Uraden, the father of our sub 
ject, was born in Crawford County, Pa., January- 
28, 1804, and is the son of William Braden, a na- 
tive of Ireland, who came to the United States in 
an early day. He participated in the War of 
1812, and as he was never afterward heard from it 
is presumed he was killed. He married Miss Sarah, 
daughter of Philip Hawks, who died in 1820. 

The father of our subject left his native state in 
1817, sailing down the Ohio River to Shawnee- 
town in a keel boat. From there he went to St. 
Louis on hfn'seback, in compau}' with a man b^' the 
name of Lucas. Isaac Braden came to this county 
that same year, and Jul}- 4 turned his horse out to 
pasture on the farm now owned by our subject. 
On arriving here he made it his business to buy 
bacon, etc., and loading a vessel, shipped it down 
the Mississippi River. His first purchase of land 
consisted of forty acres of timber, from which he 
chopped and sold the wood. He added to his 
original tract from tune to time until at his de- 



cease, in 1887, he was the proud possessor of five 
hundred and forty acres of choice lan<l, which was 
divided between our subject and his brother 
Philip, who were the only members of the family 
of seven children surviving. 

John, of this sketch, was born September 15, 
1844, near Venice, this count}', and when old 
enough aided his father on the farm until the lat- 
ter's decease. He was married in 1887 to Miss 
Minnie, daughter of John L. and Jane (Pasco) 
Shaw, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia 
in 1824, and died in 1866. Mrs. Shaw was born in 
England in 1827, and was the daughter of Charles 
and Rebecca (Leef) Shaw. She was brought to 
America when a babe of twenty-one months, her 
parents landing in New York City, where they 
made their home until 1864. They then came to 
Venice, this state, and four years later took up 
their abode in St. Louis, where the husband and 
father died of cholera. 

On the death of his father our subject inherited 
one hundred and sixty-four acres of choice land 
near Nameoki, which he rents to good advantage, 
and is also the owner of considerable town prop- 
erty. Mr. and Mrs. Braden have a son, William, 
who was born August 25, 1888. 

As regards his education, our subject is truly a 
self-made man his school attendance being con- 
fined to a few months in each year. His career 
has been a successful one and he is popular in his 
community. The Democratic party finds in him 
one of its most ardent workers. As stated in the 
opening paragraph, he has been the recipient of 
various local positions, the duties of which he has 
discharged in a manner highly satisfactory to all 
concerned. 

■ • ^P • ■ 



eARL FELDMANN, one of the representa- 
tive farmers of Madison County, now liv- 
ing in Edwardsville, is a Prussian by birth. 
He was born in Menden,on the 12th of March, 1828, 
and is a son of Frederick and Sophia (Bremiger) 
Feldmann. His grandf.'ither was Henr>' Feldmann. 
His father served for three years in the German 



292 



PORTRAIT AND RIOCRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



army, was a farmer by occupation, ami licloiigwl 
to the l^iillicran Cliurcli. He died Fohnmrv 20, 
1817, and Ills wife passed away in 1871. They 
had citjiil ehiUlivn. Carl, Meiia. Krnst. and Will- 
iam all came to the United States, and llu- olliers 
remained in iMirope. 

Soon after the death of his father onr snhject 
crossed the water to New Orleans ami located in 
St. I.onis. For a time he was upon tiic river, and 
then enyajjed in teaming until the sprintj of 1854, 
when he came to Mndison County and purchased 
one hundred and nine acres of improved land, 
upon which he liej»an farminj;. In this enterprise 
he has lu'en vi'ry successful, and soon purch.ased 
another tract of eiijhty-live acres, lie afterward 
l>ou<i;lit ninety acres, then another trad of eighty- 
five acres, later an additional tract of ninety acres, 
and afterward ten and thirty acres at different 
times. All this land, which is in one township 
and is cultivated property, he sold after a time at 
a goo<l profit. For twelve years he made his home 
in Worden, and then removed to Kdwardsville 
Township, where he bought eight}' acres of land 
of .Sam Temple. There he lived for fourteen 
3cars, and added another eighty acres. .Subse- 
quently he purchased a farm of one hundred and 
forty acres, and had altogether three hundred 
acres. Again he purchased lifty acres of Mr. Rob- 
inson, eight^'-nine acres of Ik-njaniin Richards, 
and one hundred and four acres of Charlie Talias- 
tian, nil in Kdwardsville Township. This prop- 
erty he still owns. In Ilamel Township he has 
two liundrefl and eighty acres, and (his tract and 
his other land are now rented. 

Mr. Feldmann on the 28th of .l.'inuary, 1853, 
in St. Louis, was united in marriage with Mary 
I'apa, daughter of Frederick and Mary (.Swede- 
meyer) Pajm, natives of Germany. Eight chil- 
dren graced this union, five yet living: John, a 
farmer; Emma, wife of Charles Schmidt; Mary, 
wife of William Schwartz; Dora, wife of William 
Siallwart; and ISerlha, wife of Christ Ueitemeyer. 

liolh .Mr. and Mrs. Feldmann arc members of 
the Lutheran Church and in politics he is a sup- 
porter of the Democracy. In 1881' ho laid aside 
agricultural pursuitvS, purchased a comfortable 
borne in Edwardsville. and has here since lived a 



retired life, eiijoyini; tlie rest which lie has truly 
earned and richly deserves. He came t.o this 
country empty-handed and has steadily worked 
his way upward, acquiring a handsome competence 
as the result of his energy and well directed efforts. 






^li-^h-i^lllS^ 






\I/,_^()N. THOMAS T. RAMEY, who lives on 
llj ]j' .section .'i'), Nameoki Townshi|), was born in 
1%-^ Trigg County, Ky.. in 182:1, and is the 
yiQi youngest of the four sons born to .lohn 
and .Sarah (Martin) Kainey. The father was horn 
in Virginia and when an infant was taken by his 
parents to the I'.lue ( Jra.ss .State, where he spent his 
entire life. lie participated in the War of 1812, 
and his I'alher, who also liore the name of .lohn. 
S(>rved all through the Uevolutionai'v War. The 
Kaniey family dates back to the earliest .settlement 
of \'iiginia. of which state the Martins were also 
natives. 

Thomas, our subject, received very limited ad- 
vantages for an education, as only the sul)scription 
schools were available in those d.iys, and even they 
were few and far between. He spent his early life 
on his mother's farm, and in 1819 joined the arm^' 
of fortune-seekers who went to California. He 
si)enl four years in the (iolden State, after which 
lie returned home, and the following year we again 
find him in that western state, this time laking a 
drove of cattje. 

The mother of our subject emigrated to Illinois 
after the death of her husband, locating in Macou- 
pin Comity, where she lived to the advanced age 
of eighty-two yeare. When Thomas returned to 
the above county in 1856, he resumed farming and 
conducted the home place until 1801, when he pur- 
ch.ased the beautiful home farm upon which he still 
lives and which is located just seven miles from 
St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Kamcy is entirely a self-made 
man, his comfortable surroundings being the result 
of his f>wn efforts and goo<l management. He is 
now the proud posses-sor of two hundred and five 
acres of thoroughly cultivated land, on which he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



293 



makes a specinlt3' of raising potatoes. The Calio- 
i<ia Moiinil, wliicli is the greatest in tlie vvfu-ld, is 
located (^n his farm, near liis residence, and proves 
a source of great attraction to strangers wlio visit 
the county. 

Thomas T. Ramey was united in marriage in 
185.5, to Miss Helen S. Shultz; she was horn in New 
York hut was reared to womanhood in this state. 
The wife and mother departed this life in 1871, 
and three years later Mr. Ramey was married to 
Margaret Crenshaw, who was born in Equality, 
this state, and who was reared in Sangamon Coun- 
ty. The result of these marriages is four sons 
and four daughters. Mrs. Ramey is the niece of 
Col. Dick Taylor, one of tiie original settlers of 
the city of Chicago. 

Jlrs. Ramey is a member of tiie Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. In |«ilitics our subject has been a 
Republican since the organization of tiie part 3'. 
lie has never been an aspirant for political honors, 
but through his popularity in this county was 
elected to the Legislature in 1872, and again in 
1888 and 1892, and is* consequently a member 
of that body to-day. lie was the first humane 
otiicer appointed by the Governor at the Union 
Stock Yards at East St. Louis, and in every posi- 
tion which he has been called upon to fill has dis- 
charged his duties in a most creditable and satis- 
factorj' manner. 



/^) "^Kf'^"'^ ^^- I'ANGENROTII, who has at- 
(l( tained i)rominence throughout the stale as 

^^^y a representative farmer, is a native of 
Prussia, and was born in Berlin February 13, 1831. 
He is the son of Charles S. and Augusta (Schweig- 
hausen) Fangenrolli, also natives of the Father- 
lan<l, whence they came to the United States in 
November, 1843. At Bremen, they embarked on a 
sailing-vessel which landed them in New Orleans 
eight weeks and five days later. From the Crescent 
(Jitj' they made their waj' up the Mississippi to St. 
Louis on the "I>enjaniin Franklin." In the latter 
city the family remained for six weeks and then 
came to this county', where the father purchased 



eighty .acres of land and erected a rude cabin 
for the shelter of the family. This rude structure 
soon gave place to a more commodious and sub- 
stantial brick rcsidencie, in which the elder Mr. and 
Mrs. Fangenroth lived until their decease, the 
former dying in 1884, and the latter in 1853. 

The oi'iginal of this sketch received no education 
in the English language, but made the best of his 
opportunities and gained a fair knowledge of men 
and things. To this he has greatl>' added by his 
extensive travels throughout the states, and he is 
to-day one of the best informed men in Madison 
County. 

The lady to whom Mr. Fangenroth was married 
January 6, 1852, was Miss Miriam McKee, daugh- 
ter of Robert McKee. She survived her union but 
two years, departing this life when only twenty 
years of age. The second companion of our sub- 
ject, who became his wife six years later, was Miss 
Frances Ann, daughter of William Richards. She 
was born in Luzerne Count}', Pa., August 21, 
1841, and by her union with Mr. Fangenroth 
became the mother of eight children, of whom 
four daughters and two sons survive, namely: 
INIary L., the wife of Thomas Webb; Alice, Robert 
N., Charles, Annie and Clara. 

A "third party" man, our subject is a great 
temperance worker and has aided very material- 
ly in the progress of that cause in this coun- 
ty. He is fearless in the expression of his views 
on all subjects, and is often called upon to give 
advice on important matters. He has been verj' 
successful as an agriculturist, and his achievements 
in all branches of industry, and his regard for the 
welfare of his county, are matters of more than 
local history. Ills mantle has fallen on the sur- 
vivors of his house and it is to be hoped that his 
family will always have a representative in the 
community whose history is so freighted with rem- 
iniscences of the life grand this man. 

For more than thirty years our subject has been 
School Director in his district, and has rendered 
valuable service on the P>oard. In i)olitics he is 
independent, voting for the man whom he consid- 
ers will best fill the office. His estate comprises 
eighty acres, excellently cultivated, anil embellish- 
ed with every needful building. His beautiful 



294 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPrUCAL RECORD. 



ihvelliiig is siirronndcd liy :i luwri, dccUcd willi 
sliriihs ;iii(l tlowiTs, tiiid (lie place is iiolcd far and 
wide for its spii'iidid fruits and line orciiard. A 
monstrous elm tree, wliieli ho planted forty years 
aLCo. still stands and measures tliii'i' and one-half 
feet in diameter. 

With his family Mr. Fjingcnrolh is a member of 
the I'reshyterian t'hnrch at Ivlwardsville, and all 
his life he has Iteen a liberal eontrihntor to both 
ehmx-hes and schools. He foinierly belonged to 
the Glee Chil) and 'rurners" Society of that city, 
in both of which he takes an active part, and was 
one of the organizers of the former. 



AMF^S N. PEERS, editor and ])roprietor of 
the Collinsvillc Herald, is one of the lead- 
ing newspapermen of southern Illinois, and 
in connection with his other interests he 
carries on a photograph gallery. He was born in 
Collinsvillc, Jul}' 1, \%h'i, and is the second child 
of ■Iosei)h W. and Cynthia .S. (Robbinson) I'eers. 
The father is now retired from business, and he 
and his good wife are still living at Collinsvillc. 

Our subject spent the da_vs of his boyhood and 
youth in his parents' home, no event of si)ecial im- 
portance occurring during that time. He .acquired 
his literary education in the public schools of Col- 
linsville, and afterward entered the Hryant & 
Stratton Commercial College of .St. Louis, com- 
pleting the business course taught in that institu- 
tion. At the age of nineteen he started out to 
make Ids own way in the world, and has since been 
dependent on his own resources, so that the suc- 
cess of his life is the reward of his own labors. He 
first opened a job printing olliceand established in 
1879 the Collinsvillc 7/fra/d, a news}', seven column 
folio, which lie has since conducted. 1 1 was at first 
only a four column i)apcr, but he li.is steadily im- 
proved it and enlarged it to its present size. Ilis 
|)re.ss and general fixtures are conceded to he the 
best in southern Illinois. The olllce is fitted up 
with a steam press, electric lights and other niodern 



imprf)vements, whereliy he is enabled to turn out 
a first-class grade of work. In IKDi he also added 
plK(lograi>hy to his business, and in this line has 
been very successful, receiving from the imblic a 
liberal ]>atronage. which he well deserves. 

On the 21th of December. IHT.'?, Mr. Peers was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah F. Robards, who 
was a native of Tennessee, but who came to Col- 
linsvillc during her early girlhood. Their union 
has been blessed with a family of two daughters, 
both of whom are jet living, Clara W. and .Stella. 
They are still iiTider the parental roof. They also 
have an adopted sf)n, whom tliey look to J,hcir 
home when only six days old, and christened him 
Ralph I'eers. He is now a bright little fellow of 
five years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Peers hold membprship with the 
Presbyterian Church, and lake an interest in ita 
work and upbuilding. He also takes quite a jironi- 
inont ]iart in political affairs, and is a sn|)])oi-ter of 
the men and measures of the Republican party. He 
is now serving as City Clerk of Collinsville, which 
position he h.as held for the long period of twenty 
j-ears. Aside from this he h.as never .aspired to 
political preferment. His long continuance in the 
ollice of City Clerk well indicates the |)rompt and 
faithful manner in which he has discharged his 
duties and the confidence and trust reposed in him 
1)3' his fellow-townsmen. He is a public-spirited 
and progressive citizen, ever alive to the best in- 
terests of the communit}', and a popular and genial 
gentleman, has the respect of all. 



(^ 



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^ 



'^YfOHN HENRY XIEHAUS, a represenUitive 
farmer now living on section 22, Collins- 
ville Township, Madison County, is a na- 
tive of (lerm.an.v, his birth having occurred 
in Hanover, on the 2d of February. 1821. He is 
the fifth in a family fif nine children bf>rn to(Jei- 
hard Henry .-ind Annie Maria (Witte) Niehau.s. 
They s|>cut their entire lives in (iermany. In the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



295 



piiblie schools of the Fallierland our subject pur- 
sued liis studies until fourteen years of age, after 
wliicli he worked on tiie home farm, becoming 
familiar with all the labors connected therewith. 
At the age of twent}' he started out to make his 
own way in the world, and has since been depend- 
ent on his own resources. With the desire to 
benelit his financial condition he resolved to seek 
a home in America, and in 1847 crossed the brin}' 
deep to New Orleans. For about four winters he 
worked in that city and spent the summer months 
in St. Louis. In 1851 he came to Illinois, locat- 
ing in Madison County, and in the spring of 1852 
embarked in farming, which he has followed con- 
tinuously since with good success. lie had but 
*35 when he arrived in this country. Some years 
later $100 was sent him from Germany. With the 
exception of that sum all he has had has been ob- 
tained through his own efforts. lie worked early 
and late for some 3'ears after his arrival, and as his 
financial resources increased he made judicious in- 
vestments of his capital, becoming owner of sev- 
eral hundred acres of land in Madison County-, the 
greater jiart of which is valuable proi)erty. lie also 
owns a large portion of Horse Shoe Lake. Ilis 
present home is one of the most beautiful in i\Iadi- 
son County, and he is now surrounded by all the 
comforts that go to make life worth the living. 

Mr. Niehaus was married in May, 1854, the lady 
of his choice being Mary l'>eckering, who during 
her childhood came to America. Her parents died 
in Germany. One child was born of this union, 
but died at the age of six months, and Mrs. Nie- 
haus passed awaj' in November, 1855. The fol- 
lowing year our subject was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Martha Paulina 
Steinert, of St. Louis. Their union has been blessed 
with three children, of whom one is now deceased. 
Those still living are, Ileniy, who resides near 
Troy, 111., and Joseph, of Madison Count}-. The 
former married Barbara Swartz, of Madison Coun- 
ty; and the latter married Theresa Troeckler. Jlrs. 
Niehaus died in January, 1863, and Mr. Niehaus 
was married in September, 1865, to Elizabeth 
Rad. They have three children, Charles, at home; 
Frank, who married Sophia Ro\', and William, yet 
at home. The parents and their family are all 



; 



members of the Roman Catholic Chureli. Mr. Nie- 
haus usually- votes with the Democratic party, but 
has never been an office seeker, although he has 
served as School Director and Road Supervisor. 



11^^ 



\|] AMES S. MINTER, a rising and prosiierous 
young farmer of Pin Oak Township, was 
born on the estate which he now makes his 
home, September 24, 1862. He is the son 
of James, Sr., and Martha (Stice) IMinter, and the 
grandson of John and Julia Minter, natives of 
Kentucky. The latter came to Illinois in 1819, 
locating first in this count}', whence they later re- 
moved to Montgomery County. After a stay 
there of nine years they returned to this county 
and purchased the farm which is now in the pos- 
session of our subject. Here they passed the re- 
mainder of their lives, the grandmother dying 
when forty-four years of age, and John Minter 
living to be seventy-three years old. 

The father of our subject was also born on the 
farm above mentioned, December 15, 1823, and 
his death, which occurred in 18G6, was a sad blow 
to his rrfatives and many friends in this vicinity, 
for he was greatly loved and respected by all who 
knew him. Jlrs. jMartha IMinter was his second 
wife and the daughter of William and .Sarah 
(Moore) Stice, the former of whom came to Illi- 
nois from Kentucky with his parents, traveling the 
entire distance on horseback. They located on 
property near Troy, this county, where they spent 
a busy and useful life. 

The parents of our subject were married De- 
cember 18, 1861, and to them were born two chil- 
dren, of whom James was the first in order of 
birth. The father was called to his long home five 
years after their union. His widow w.as afterward 
married to AVilliam H. Nix, a native of this coun- 
ty, who is now also deceased. They were the 
parents of two children. 

.lames S. Minter is one of the most promising 
young men of his community. He is liberal in his 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



views, keen in jiidgnipiil and lirni in iiis convic- 
tions, altofjotiicr siicli an one as would attain a 
liljjli place in any coninninily. In politics he Is a 
Democrat, lakes an active part In local affairs, be- 
inj:; always interested in those movements which 
have for their ohject the liettermcnt of his town- 
ship. 



\|f OIIN C. TIIURNAU, who is one of the larg- 
est land owners In IMadison County, has re- 
tired from the active pursuits of life and 
makes his home on his line estate In Marine 
Township. lie is also tlic iiossessor of fine lands 
in St. Jacob and I'ln Oak Townships, the entire 
amount .aggregating five hundred and sixty broad 
and well cultivated acres. 

The father of our subject was born in (■erniany, 
where he followed the trade of a wagonmaker until 
emigrating to tlie United States. The trip across 
the Atlantic was made in 181,5, at which time Mr. 
Thurnau located on Liberty Prairie, this county, 
where he i)urcliased eighty acres of land, whose 
only improvement was a small liouse. On tills 
property he lived until his decease, which took 
place in 18G-4. lie was married in his native land 
to Miss Mary .Smith, who accompanied him to 
America and departed this life on the farm above 
mentioned In 1870. 

The parental famil}' included five children, 
three of whom are living, Sophia, the wife of Ja- 
cob Springer, of Edwardsville; Henry, a retired 
farmer living in Chicago; and our subject. The 
latter was born Sejitember G, 18.33, in Germany, 
and came to America with his parents in 181,'). He 
remained working on the farm for three years af- 
ter coming hither, and in 1848commenced to learn 
the trade of a blacksmltli, which he followed until 
18()H in the village of Marine. In the meantime 
he had purchased one hundred and seventy acres 
of land which he "picked up" at a bargain, and 
later sold it at a good profit. Ills next Investment 
was In one hundred and thirty-three acres of im- 
proved land III Marine Township, which he moved 



upon and farmed for a period of seventeen years. 

Mr. Thurnau continued to speculate In lands 
until becoming the owner of his present fine estate, 
when, having a sufficiency of this world's goods to 
enable him to live In peace and plenty, he retired, 
and is now enjoying the fruits of his early toll. lie 
occupies a beautiful residence just outside the vil- 
lage of Marine, which Is surrounded with seven- 
teen acres of ground planted with shrubs and shade 
trees. 

Our subject was married November 2G, 18;")!, to 
Miss Agnes, daughter of John .1. Miller, a native 
of Germany, who with his wife and children emi- 
grated to America in 1814. They made their 
home for a short time in the city of Uallimore, but 
soon removed to St. Louis, Mo., where Mr. Miller 
died 111 181G; his good wife died one week prior to 
his demise. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Thurnau were born eight chil- 
dren, of whom six arc living. Kdward is mariicd 
and has three children ; Otto is also married and 
llie father of a family of three children; Minnie is 
now Mrs. II. W. Orlinann, and h.as two children; 
Emma married C. Kur/, and has one chllil; Henry 
is single and lives in St. Louis, Mo.; and Fred is at 
home. 

Both our subject and his wife arc members in 
good standing of the Lutheran Church, of wiiicli 
the former Is Treasurer. He is greatl\ interested 
In local affairs, and for eight j-ears was Highway 
Commissioner. He has also l>een School Director 
and during his incumbency of oflice rendered val- 
uable service. 



FREDERICK ENGELING, who Is one of the 
(si iirominent agriculturists of I'iii Oak Town- 
ship. Is, like the majority of the good citi- 
zens of Madison County, a native of (Germany, 
where he was born June 21, 18;')]. He is a son of 
Harmon II., Sr., and Margaret (Seveng) Engcling, 
who came to the Iniled Stales about 18(;(). For 
a further histoi-y of the (larents the reader Is rc- 
foriod to the sketch of our subject's brother. Har- 
mon H. Engelliig. 

Young Frederick remained at home until about 
fourteen years of age, when he started out on his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



297 



own account, working as a farm hand for a nnm- 
her of years. At the age of twenty-two he rented 
land, which lie continued to cultivate until just 
previous to his marriage in 1882, at which time he 
purchased a tract which comprised eighty acres. 

Oecemher 4, 1881, Mr. Engeling and Miss Dena 
Krampe were united in marriage. The lad3" was 
born in Missouri and is a daughter of Henry and 
Anna Krampe, who came from Germany to the 
United States in 1848 and 1854 respectively, and 
after their marriage, in 1854, located in Missouri, 
where the father died aged sixty-nine years. The 
mother is still living on the old home in that state. 

Our subject has remained on his present estate 
ever since it came into his possession, and his 
dwelling is one of the most comfortable in the 
townshi]). On the place are to be found all the 
buildings necessary for grain and stock, and the 
well tilled fields yield an abundant harvest for the 
labor expended on them. Four children have 
come to bless the home of Mr. and Mrs. Engeling: 
Amelia, born October 19, 1885; Henry II., March 
4, 1887; Frederick C, August 26, 1890, and Anna 
L., December 14, 1892. The good wife and moth- 
er was born May 11, 1859, in St. Louis, Mo., and 
was one of four children born to her parents, she 
and her sister Amelia being the only survivors. 

Mr. Engeling is a stalwart Republican in poli- 
tics, and cast his first vote for General Grant. He 
is a man of excellent business and executive abil- 
ity, and may truly be called self-made, for through 
his own efforts he achieved the success of his life. 
He is numbered among the most prominent citi- 
zens of this community, and 113' young and old, 
rich and poor, is held in high regard. 



.o?3 



^oi-^ 



m^m^m^^ 



\\. — jFRED C. BACKS, engaged in general mer- 
|ip^^ chandising in the village of Carpenter, was, 
/1\ until 1885, a farmer in Hamel Township. 

He claims Germany as his native country, and 
was born March 25, 1846. His parents, Gott- 
lieb and Dora (Menschieus) Backs, were likewise 
born in that country, where the former carried 
on the occupation of a weaver. He died there 



about 1851. The paternal grandfather of our sub- 
ject was also a native of Germany. 

The mother of our subject is still living, and is 
now in her seventy-sixth yeai-. On emigrating to 
America, she made her home with her son Henry, 
near the estate of Fred C, until her second mar- 
riage. Fred C, of this sketch, was one in a family 
of five children, of whom three sons and one 
daughter are still living. He remained at home un- 
til fourteen years of age, and then, his father hav- 
ing died, he secured Government work around the 
depot of his village, and in 1866 boarded a sail- 
ing-vessel, which landed him in New York City 
twenty-eight days later. 

Our subject remained in the above citj' but a 
very short time, when he made his way direct to 
St. Louis, Mo., that being the most convenient 
point from which to reach this county, where his 
uncle was living. He had no trouble in finding 
something to do here, and from Maj' until the fall 
of that j'ear saved $75 by working as a farm 
hand. 

Mr. Backs was married in May, 1868, to Miss 
Mary Dorge, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
the daughter of William and Dora Dorge, natives 
of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Dorge came to America 
in 1840, and located in the Queen City, whence 
they later went to St. Louis. While there the fa- 
ther was engaged as a brewer, but after coming to 
this county, in 1858, he carried on farm pursuits, 
which he still follows. He was twice married, his 
second union being with the mother of our sub- 
ject. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Backs was born a family 
of five children, one of whom, Dora, died when 
eight years of age. Anna M., born in 1872, is at 
home with her parents; William F., born in 1876, 
completed his business education in Bryant it 
Stratton's College in St. Louis; Heniy J. was born 
in 1880, and Sophia M. in 1883. 

Our subject was given a good education in the 
English language after coming to this country 
and while residing in the home of his uncle. His 
son William F. is a very intelligent 3'oung man, 
and during the examinations at the close of his 
school life stood second in the county. 
I For two years after his marriage, Mr. Backs 



2!)8 



POUTHArr AND r.IOnHAPIIICAT. RECORD. 



rciitod farms, !»ml llicii (iiirfliasod eii;lity acres on 
winch llio only im|)rf)voniont wiis a little lo<j 
slianty. In lliis liis family lived for fiuir years, 
while he gave Ins nttcntioii to cultivating the soil. 
This then gave pl.iee to a more substantial struc- 
ture, and continued to lie their home until IJS.S.'), 
when Mr. Hacks moved into Carpenter and estab- 
lished a general merchandise liusiness. He also 
holds the position of I'ostniaster. receiving his 
appointment under President Harrison. In poli- 
tics, he is a Republican, and has held various local 
positions of trust. 

That our subject is a self-made man is made evi- 
dent when it is learned that he started out in life 
with just ^\, which his mother had given him, and 
now IS at the head of a good business wliicli brings 
him in a line income. Resides the geneial store, 
he owns an elevator and buys and sells grain in 
large (luantities. 



-^^^-^1 



J JOHN F. .lAiniS. A visitor ill. larvis Town- 
ship, Madison County, would not long be 
in ignorance of the name and character of 
;^^ ' the gentleman above mentioned, for he is 
classed among her most prominent citizens and 
best agriculturists. Ills home farm lies upon sec- 
tion It, and IS emliellislie<l with a complete set of 
good buildings. lie is justly considered one of 
the self-made men of the county, as he virtually 
commenced liis career with nothing but strong 
iiands and a determination to succeed. 

Our subject w.as born on tlic farm where he is 
at present residing, March H!, 18.39. He is the 
third in order of birth of the family of Wesley 
and Mary (Kinder) .larvis, the former of wliom 
was also a native of this township. He spent his 
entire life here, and here died when forty-one 
years of age. His good wife, the mother of our 
subject, was also born in this county and is now, 
at four-score years of age, enjoying good health. 
She has the lionor of being the oldest native of 
Madison C'ounty now living. 

.lohn F. received liis education in Troy, attend- 
in LT school during; the winter luoiiths. and in the 



summer sea.son he a.ssisted in the farm work. Upon 
attaining his sixteenth year he began life's strug- 
gles for himself .-is a farmer and trader, which oc- 
cupations lie liiis since followed. He is now the 
proprietor of three hundred and ten acres of valu- 
able farming land, all uikUm' a tine state of ciilti- 
vatifui with the exce])tion of a (piarter-section. 
which is devoted to timber, and is making a suc- 
cess of his calling as a farmer and stock-raiser. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1H(!'.1 was Miss Nancy .I.Montgomery. Mrs. .larvis 
was the daughter of Nelson and I'^leaiior (Kinder) 
Montgomery, who are classed among the early set- 
tlers of this county, having come hither before the 
state was admitted into the Inioii. Toour subject 
and his wife has been born a family of seven chil- 
dren, Wesley W., at home; Nelson M., whomarried 
KstherS. Solomon and resides in \'irdeii, thisstate; 
John S.; Charles E.; Nanny ().; William H. W. and 
Thomas G. C. The youngest son was born No- 
vember l, 1881, that being the day of Crover 
Cleveland's election as president; and it w.as also 
the fifteenth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. 
and Mrs. .larvis. 

Our subject has been a life-long Democrat in pol- 
ities, and has been elected by his fellow-townsmen 
to the [lositions of Higliwa}' Commissioner and 
School Trustee. During the existence of the Tro3- 
Coal Mining Company. Mr. .larvis served as its 
President. He has sustained a good reputation 
for integrity and lirmness of purpose, and in fol- 
lowing his chosen vocation not only gains a hand- 
some income, but the good will of the community 
at large. 



i-^T^IIEODORE A. RinC.IN. It is a generally 
((/(^^ conceded fact that the farmer enjoys a 
\^J^ greater amount of personal freedom than 
any other man « ho is engaged in the busy and al- 
most endless Uask of accumulating money. There 
i.s something about life in the country, where one 
is surrounded by nature on all sides, thai seems 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



299 



to bring a quietness and peace found nowhere else. 
Our suljJL'ct, who is at present a farmer, living on 
section 9,Jaivis Township, Madison County-, is a 
native of tiiis place and was born September 15, 
1840. 

Alfred and Sarah (I'iiter) Riggin, the parents of 
our subject, resided in this county for many years, 
and of this section the father was a native. 
He was a farmer, and died in 1849, when Theodore 
was a lad of nine 3'ears. The mother was born in 
Stauntojj, this state, and departed this life in 1889, 
at the age of sevent3'-three years. Our subject 
carried on his studies in the little schoolhouse in 
his neigliborhood, but received very limited edu- 
cational training, the matter of education not re- 
ceiving any other care at tliat time than is gener- 
ally given it in all parts of the country. At the 
early age of fourteen he commenced to make his 
own way in the world, working out as a farm 
hand, lie soon, however, was enabled to rent 
propert3'and put in crops of his own. He is now 
the proprietor of one hundred and three and one- 
half acres under a nice state of cultivation, and as 
a farmer he has been quite successful. 

In 1865 our subject was united in marriage with 
Miss Myra M., daughter of Charles and Rebecca 
(Owens) Roselle. On the paternal side of the 
house Mrs. Riggin was of French descent, while 
her mother's people were natives of Illinois. By 
her union with our subject there were born four 
children, of whom the 3'oungest, Sallie, died at the 
age of two years and ten months. Tressa U. is 
the wife of .John Null, of this county; P^ugene 
married Cora Pritchett and ako makes his home in 
this count}'; Selva E. is now Mrs. .John Hamilton 
and resides in Barton County, Mo. 

The wife and mother departed this life in 1878, 
and two 3-ears later Mr. Riggin- was married to 
Mrs. Caroline Pritchett, daughter of .John Van- 
gundy, formerly a resident of Ohio. To them 
were born four children. Pearl (deceased), Emma 
M., Alfred and Mary J. Socially, our subject is a 
member of Lodge No. 588, A. F. & A. M.. and Nel- 
son Ixidge No. 25, 1. O. O. F., of Troy. Politically 
he is a stanch believer in the principles promulgated 
by the Democratic l)arly. lie has been an eye wit^ 
ness of tlie rapid strides progress has taken in this 



county and township, and has won a host of 
friends by his interest in public matters and his 
willingness to assist in the advancement of all 
worthy causes. 



-r^ 



^ lij/ILLIAM LOVE has long been identified 
\^//l with the history of this community, hav- 
V5^ ing been born in Madison County May 
11, 1839. He is now one of the prominent and 
well-to-do agriculturists of Ilamel Township, where 
he owns two hundred and eighty acres of fine 
farming land, which he has developed into one of 
the best estates in this section. 

Our subject is the son of .John and Jane Love, 
born respectively' in Count}' Donegal and County 
Tyrone, Ireland. The}' 'are both now deceased, 
the father dying in 1844, when forty j'cars of 
age, and the mother passing away in 1875, when 
in her .seventieth 3'eai'. William is the only mem- 
ber of the parental family of seven children who 
survives, with the exception of his sister Mary, 
who lives in this townsliip. A portion of the es- 
tate upon which he resides was the old homestead 
which his father entered from the Government 
about 1832. To this he has added, however, and 
has also erected good buildings, making of it one 
of the finest homes in the township. The little 
log cabin which once adorned the farm has long 
since given way to a comfortable dwelling, erected 
by our subject. 

The original of this sketch has been active in all 
matters where the good of his community was 
concerned, and has filled many positions of honor. 
He is a Repultlican in politics and cast his first 
Presidential vote for Lincoln. His marriage with 
Miss Catherine Pitman t<jok place Novemlier 26, 
1863. Mrs. Love was the sister of Mrs. Thomas 
Hamilton, whf^se sketch is elsewhere given in this 
volume. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Loveallare living with one exception, and of them 
we make the following mention: .Jane, the eldest, 
is the wife of Robert Mize, and has one sou and 



300 



FORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



two dauglitco; Mary was llie iicxl in onlci- of 
biitli; Cyrus aids liis fatlior in llic i>|iciali<jii of 
llic farm, anil is a brinliL and mlcllij^unl younjj; 
man; Anna, Maggie, Wyilc. liirllm, lliiii\' and 
Jamie arc at home with tiu'ir parents. 

Mrs. Catherine Love was liorii in Matoui)in 
County, this slate, Septeniljer 2, l.sM.and is the 
daiigliU'r of ,lolin and So|iha I'itnian. She aided 
her iiusliand gieatly by her haliits of economy 
and good advice given to attain his present stand- 
ing in the agricuitMral coniniunity. Tliey are 
both iiighly ri's[ieeted throughout the count}-, 
wheie the Love family is an oiii ami pr<iiiiinent 
cue. 



:^#(^ 




IIARLES H. ()ATMAN,M. I). Among those 
who for many years have devoted their 

^(^ lives to relieving sufl'ering humanity our 
subject is looked upon as occupying a iiigii [ilace. 
lie has been a resident of CollinsviUe since 1875, 
and (luiing the years he has lived here lias built 
up a large and lucrative practice. He was born 
in Helleville, this state, in 18IG, and was the eld- 
est but one in the family of Dr. Daniel L. and 
Mary L. (Davis) Oatman. 

The father of our sulijecl was jjorn on the Alsa- 
tian line, and was of French and (ierman parent- 
age. He was a very prominent physician in his 
native country, being a graduate of a famous in- 
stitution in Europe. He came to America with 
his father and located in Lancaster County, I'a. 
Me soon afti'i u;iid look a post-graduate course in 
the I'hilailelpliia Ali'dieal Jnstilute, in l.'Sll,and 
was inslrumeiital in organizing the lirst medical 
society in the state. Dr. Daniel Oatman came to 
Belleville in the above year, and was engaged in 
the 8ucce.s»ful practice of his profession until his 
decease, in 18.')2. 

The mother t){ our subject was lioin in Lancas- 
ter City, I'a., and died three moiilli> prior to the 
decease of her husband. At her death she left a 
family of three children: .liilia, who married .lohn 
Hill, of Frceburg, this state; Charles, of this 
sketch; and Edward D., who is also a grailiiate in 



medicine, but is now engaged as a veterinary sur- 
geon in California. 

Our subject recci\ed his primaiN e<lueatiiin at 
Belleville and Lebanon, this slate, and when only 
seventeen 3ears of age joined the Iniun army as 
a member of Company II, One Ihindied and Sev- 
enteenth Illinois Infanliv. He served as dninimer 
boy of that eompany for three years and three 
months, during which time he suffered all the 
hardships and [irivalions of a soldier's life, ami 
although present at many hard-fought Jiattles, 
was never wounded w taken prisoner. 

After his reliirn home, young Oatman began 
the study of nu'dicine with Dr. .lames L. I'eriy- 
mann, of ISelleville, who was a prominent phy- 
sician at that time, and wIki had foiinerl^- been a 
student of Dr. Daniel Oatman. After pursuing 
the course of study in the St. Louis Medical Col- 
lege, our subject was graduated with honor in 
1870. Heat once located for practice at O'Eallon, 
this state, where he remained until April, 1875, 
the date of his advent into CollinsviUe. liiiiur- 
suing the noble calling of medicine, the Doctor 
has won golden laurels for himself and is looked 
upon as one of the most prominenl pliysieians in 
southern Illinois. In 18'J1 he was appointed to 
the iiosilion of E.xamining I'h^sician, occupying 
the chair of I'liysical Diagnosis of the Marion 
Siinnis Kaeulty, vf St. Louis. At the same time he 
had been called as assistant to the chair of Ob- 
stetrics in the same faculty, but owing to not re- 
ceiving ollicial notic(! until he had accei)led the 
chair of Professor of Diseases of the Kectuin iu 
the Lames Medical College of that city, he was 
oliliged to decline the appointiiu'iit. Ik' is Clin- 
ical Surgeon in tlu' Barnes College, and holds the 
same position in the City Hospital in St. Louis. 

Dr. Oatman was married in 1870 to .Miss .lo- 
sephine, daughter of .lames II. and Catherine 
(Chilton) Lemon, who were among the early set- 
tlers of St. Clair Counly, this state. Their union 
has been blessed by the birth of one daughter and 
three sons. Miss OIlie, who is an accomplished 
musician, is now the assistant of Professor Kobyn, 
of St. Louis. 'I'lic eldest son, Lewis, is a graduate 
of Marion Simms Medical College, and after grad- 
uating was apiiointed an Ensign at the Cit^' Hos- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



301 



pital, serving one year. He was then chosen by 
the Board of Health and appointed by the City 
CVmncil us Senior Assistant in the Insane Asylum, 
and also as Assistant to the chair of Rectal Sur- 
gery. Charles L., the second son, is likewise fit- 
ting himself for a [thysician; and Loring will 
complete his studies in the Colliusville school in 
the Class of '94. 

Dr. and Mrs. Oatman are members in good 
standing of the Presbj'terian Church. In political 
matters the former always casts a Republican vote. 
He has been actively interested in the progress of 
education in this county, and is serving at the 
present time as President of the School Board of 
CoUinsville. He was honored by his fellow-citi- 
zens with the position of Mayor of the city in 
1885, and during his administration the City Hall 
was erected. 




HRISTIAN HOTZ, who prior to 1869 
was one of the prominent agriculturists of 
Madison County, has since that time lived 
retired in the city of Highland. He is a native of 
Baden, Germany, and was born December 19,1817, 
at Aslrange, Oberamt, winch was also the birth- 
place of his father, Martin Ilotz. The foiiner in 
early life was a weaver and a small farmer, which 
combined occupations he followed as long as he 
remained in the Fatherland. 

Christian Hotz was marrit'd July 28, 1840, to 
Miss IMary Weber, and the following year they 
emigrated to America. He was accompanied to 
the New World by his mother, who on the death 
of her husl)and married .lohn Batsler. His brotli- 
eis and sisters followed in 1846. They made their 
way to St. Louis and a short time thereafter came 
to this county', where our subject worked out on 
farms for twenty-five cents a day, his first em- 
ployer owning four hundred acres of laud six 
miles north of Highland. It gives us pleasure to 
state that a few years later our subject became the 
owner of this same tract of land, while its former 
possessor went west '-to grow up with the country." 

After locating here our subject worked hard and 
iaved enough money to buy a couple of cows and 



thus got his start in the early days. He had run 
in debt to the amount of $18, and was called upon 
by a customer while at work. He did not have 
the money and did not know when he could get 
it. His employer told him that he would lend 
the money but that he would have to work twelve 
days extra in order to pay the interest, which of 
course he very gladly agreed to do. 

When engaged in farming on his own account 
Mr. Hotz hauled wheat to St. Louis with an ox- 
teain; part of the wheat he sold for thirty-live 
cents a bushel, enough to take him home, and later 
sold the remainder for seventy-five cents. This 
product had been cut with a sickle, threshed and 
cleaned by hand, which fact goes to show the 
many inconveniences under which the early pio- 
neers labored. Our subject was the first man in 
this part of the county to cut grain with a cradle, 
and being progressive and wide-awake, was willing 
at all times to adopt any measure which would 
enable him to carr3' on his farm work in an easier 
manner. 

During tiie Civil War Mr. Hotz accumulated 
the greater part of his money by disposing of 
wheat and hogs in St. Louis, receiving for the 
former article $3.50 per bushel, and for the latter 
$16 for every one hundred pounds. During those 
trying times, in which the country was in such an 
unsettled condition, he did not have confidence in 
the stability of Ijanks and often kejit large sums of 
money in his home, on several occasions having 
as much as $8,000. He was in the habit of putting 
about -1i<200 in a convenient pl.ace .and in case rob- 
bers should give liini a call would make them 
think that was all he had. Fortunately he was 
never visited in that manner and did not have an 
opportunity to see how the experiment would 
work. 

In 1869, on account of failing health, Mr. Hotz 
moved into the city of Highland, where he has 
since led a retired life, enjoying the competence 
which is the result of his earlier 3'ears of toil. 
He has been very prominent in politics and has 
held several offices on the Democratic ticket. For 
eight years he was Commissioner of Salem Town- 
ship, and also served as a member of the Board of 
Education. Since living in this city he has held 



302 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the pusitioii of Town {"oiimii.ssioiicr for ten years 
in :i Keiiuljlieaii piecintl, and is now, and Las been 
for many terms, Alderman of his ward. 

Mr. an(J Mrs. llotz eeleliraled their <iolden wed- 
ding in 181)0, on which occasion they received 
the con<^ratulations of many warm friends. They 
arc members of the Catholic Church, to which 
llioy have contributed liberally of their means 
toward the building of the church, i)arsonage, 
hospital and hall in this cit\'. 

We make the following mention of the nine 
children in the family of Christian Ilotz: Ceorge 
is married and occupies the res[)onsible position of 
Sheriff of Madison County; his sketch will licfound 
elsewhere in this volume. Ellen married William 
Haiii.sey and makes her home north of A'andalia. 
Christian is a farmer living in Nebraska. Anna is 
the wife of Peter Swart/, and makes her home on 
one of the farms belonging to our subject. Mav- 
garet married ICmil Winters, who is the present 
Cit}' Marshal of Highland. .Joseph married Mary 
Nagel, whose father, Adam Nagel, is one of the 
early settlers and wealthy reliied farmers living 
in Highland. Ilciiiy is also a fa.iiier and resides 
on another farm belonging to our subject. Mary 
is the wife of .loseph Ourbeck, also a resident of 
this place, and .lolm, the youngest of the family, is 
also married and (iperaling a farm near this city. 




ANIIOL II. EVANS has a line (hiiry farm 
on section 8, Marine Townsiiip, which is 
stocked with about thirty-live milch cows. 
His estate comprises about one hundred 
and lwenty-si.\ acres, bearing all the improvements 
usually found on lirst-clnss farms. Mr. Evans is 
the son of .Joseph Evans, whose birth occurred in 
Ireland in 181G. 'I'lie latter was seven years of 
age when he made the trip to America with his 
parents, and soon !ifler arriving here his father 
died. lie left a siillicient sum of money to enable 
him to tiike a course of lectures, and going to St. 
Louis with his mother, entered a college; he was 



later graduated, and subseijuentl}' commenced to 
pr.aclice in Hope llos[)ital. 

The father of oursiiltjeel remained in the Mound 
City until IHVJ, when he came to Marine, where 
he built ui) a good practice, and at his decease, 
.luly 8, 1858, left a goodly amount of property. 
His wife was prior to her marriage Anna M. (iround, 
and was born in Madison County, 111., in 1820. 
In the spring of 18G() she was married, in Marine 
Townshii), this county, to Emsly Keown, and with 
him located on section 8, Marine Township, where 
was erected a line three-story brick residence, 
which cost* 18,000. Mr. Keown was a very wealthy 
and prominent man and followed farm pursuits 
his entire life. He departed from earth November 
7, 1876, leaving six children, of whom live arc still 
living, namely: Laura, Mrs. M. A. Moore; Emsly, 
Daisy, Page and C. W. 

The grandfather of our subject was born in 
Yorkshire, England, and on coming to America in 
1818, located in this county, buying two hundred 
and seventy-six acres of land, on whicli in 1820 
he erected one of the largest and most beautiful 
residences in Madison County. At his death, in 
1868, he left a family of live children, three of 
whom are living. 

Daniel II., of this sketch, was l)(ini .\ugusl21, 
1855, in !\Iariiie, and received a good education in 
the Blackburn I'liiversity, at Carlinville. and also 
took a course in Hryant A' Stmt ton's Lusiness Col- 
lege of St. Louis, Mo. He was married January 1. 
1880, to Miss Adelia, daughter of Franklin and 
Hester (Lemon) Howler, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. 
Evans was a Iad3' of good education and for three 
years Iicfore her marriage taught school. She de- 
parted this life March 1, 1880, just two months 
and four days after her union. October 3, 1881, 
our subject was married to Miss Addie Sweeney, 
who was born May 2, 18G.3, and who was the 
daughter of Nelson D. Sweeney, of this counly, 
who died September 17, I8!)0. 

After his second union Mr. Evans moved on bis 
present estate and here devotes his attention to 
dairy farming, supplying the resident.^ of Madison 
with a good (lualily of milk. His union with Miss 
Sweeney has resulted in llu' birth of three children, 
Anna, Nellie and Daisy. In polities our subject is 




ArcrsTrs si:vMorR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCOKD. 



305 



neither a Republican nor a Democrat, but is using 
his indueiice in tlie interests of liie farmers of tliis 
section. lie is well posted on all subjects, and 
durinj,' two or three campaigns "stumped" tlie 
county. He has been Selioul Director for nine 
years and at tiic present time is President of the 
Board. He has also been President of tlie Farmers' 
Alliance for many years and is widely and favora- 
lily linown in this county. 



gm-5"{"5-+t: 






r^i; U(U;STUS SEYJIOrR, who iw nine years 
W'lLiy held the position of Suiiervisor of Wood 
Uivor Township, is successfully engaged 
as a gardener, shipping the products of his 
farm to the maikets in Chicago. He is a native of 
Missouri, having been born in ,St. Charles County, 
January 11, 1831. His parents dying when he was 
quite young, he was taken into the home of 
Robert Spencer, of that county, by whom he was 
reared. He has a brother, Joseph, who is living in 
Springfield, this stale, and a sister, Mary, tlie wife 
of Thomas Darling, of Jackson County, Iowa. 
They were also eared for by strangers. 

In childhood Mr. Seymour was given little oii- 
portunity for obtaining an education, bul being 
quick and observing he soon ae(iuired a business 
knowle(lge, which has enabled him to "get on in 
the world." He remained with Mr. Spencer until 
attaining mature years, and after leaving his em- 
ploy learned to make Ijiooms in St. Charles, which 
occupation he followed for aliout twenty years. In 
18.54, when coming to Alton, this slate, he secured 
cmployinent in a brick yard. In 18GG he started 
a broom fcictory in the city, giving employment 
to four men. This he conducted successfully for 
ten years, when he saw a field of labor in which 
he could make more money. Accordingly he pur- 
chased thirty-three acres of land, where he is at 
present residing, aii<l engaged in gardening. He 
makes a specialty of raising asparagus, devoting 
about seven acres to that vegetable, which at the 
end of the season usually nets him about ?!l(JO per 
II 



acre. In Chicago he finds a ready market for his 
vegetables, which being choice are disposed of at 
good prices. 

The marriage of Mr. Seymour with Rliss Kmma 
Baker was celebrated in Alton in 1861. The lady 
was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Baker, and 
departed this life in 18'J1. Our subject married 
his second wife in October, 18'J3. .She was Miss 
Rosa, daughter of Thomas and Martcna (Bowles) 
Fannen, and was born in St. Charles, Mo. Her 
father was a native of Ireland, and coming to the 
United States, has continued to make his home in 
the above state. Mr. and Mrs. Seymour are mem- 
bers of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics 
he is a Republican. He has ofi3ciated as Highway 
Commissioner, and is always willing to aid iu every 
possible way the progress of his adopted county. 



*i**$"S**S* ^ 



i\*{"}'*5»*5»c: 



•H"i"i'^®5''^.+++F 



THOMAS HAMILTON, whose honored name 
appears at the head of this sketch, is living 

^^ on an estate of one hundred and twenty 
acres located in Ilamel Township. He was born 
in this county December 11, 1840, and is the son 
of Kbenezer and Rebecca (Boyd) Hamilton, na- 
tives respectively' of Scotland and County Tyrone, 
Irel;ind. After emigrating to America, they lo- 
cated in Pennsylvania, thence came to Madison 
C<ninly, and departed this life in Pin Oak Town- 
ship on land the3' had entered in an early day 
from the (lovernment. 

Thomas Hamilton, of this sketch, was one in a 
famil>' of five children, of whom only one is liv- 
ing besides himself. He was reared on the old 
home farm, and like all farmer lads received his 
education in the district school. Young Thomas 
remained under the parental roof until his mar- 
riage, March 17, 1869, with Miss Rebecca Pitman. 
Mrs. Hamilton was born iu Macoupin County, 
near jS'ilwood, in December, 184'J, and was the 
daughter of John and Sophia (Yowell) Pitman, 
the former of whom is still living, making his 
home in Jericho, Cedar County, Mo. Her parents 



306 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



roared live c-liiliJriMi and slio reuiaincMl at lioino 
until reai-liinji licr eli'ventli year, wlion she was 
taken into the liouseliuld of Thomas .ludy, an old 
and prominent family of this county. 

To our subject and his estimalile wife have been 
born five children, namely: Luella, (Je'rtrude A., 
Nellie J., Annie M. and Florence E In May, 
1864. Mr. Hamilton enlisted in the Union army, 
as a inoniber of Company K, One Hundred and 
Fortieth Illinois Infantry, under Capt. Julius 
Barnsback. He took the measles and was con- 
fined in the hospital at Camp Butler for several 
weeks. He received his honorable discharge in 
November of that year, at the expiration of serv- 
ice, and returning liome, remained with his par- 
ents until purchasing his present farm, in 1867. lie 
has devoted his entire attention to its cultivation 
and improvement, and made of it a productive 
and beautiful estate. 

Mr. Hamilton is a prominent Grand Arm}' man. 
holding membership with Edwardsvillc I'ost No. 
461. He is a believer in Republican principles and 
never fails to give the candidates of that party 
his influence and vote. He is interested in edu- 
cation and as a member of the Board of Directors 
has done wlial lie could to establish good schools. 



:^>-^^<^ 



■^^ F. HKLMKAMl', one of the early settlei-s 
ml (—-, of Madist)n County, who now devotes his 
^^Jjj time and energies to agricultural [)ursuits 
on section 27, Moro Township, located upon his 
present farm in 186G, at which time it was a 
poorly improved tract of land. It now comi)rises 
three hundred acres and is under a high state of 
cultivation. His home is a two and a-iialf story 
brick residence, which was erected in 1880 at a 
cost of *.'},000. There are good barns and other 
outbuildings upon the place, which make this 
property one of the model farms in southern 
Illinois. 

Mr. Hclnikamp was born in Hanover, (ierinany, 
August 5, 182'J. His grandfather, William Helm- 



kanip, was a farmer and in Hanover spent hiscntire 
life, pa>sing away at the age of seventy-live. 'IMie 
parents of our subject, Herman H. and Leiia(Bark- 
hoefer) Helmkump, were both born in (ierinany, 
and in 1843 crossed the broad ocean to St. Louis, 
where the mother died a month later. The father 
made his lionie there until 1856, when he came to 
live with our suliject, but his death occurred in St. 
Louis County at the age of sevent^'-two. In the 
family were seven childien, five sons and two 
daughters, and two died in the Old Country, 
William, who passed away at the age of twenty, 
.and Anna when seventeen yeai-s of age. .lohn H., 
G. F. and Herman H. are all living in Moro Town- 
ship. Louisa is the vvife of John Weullner, of St. 
Louis County, Mo.; William H. died at the age of 
tliirt3'-eight. 

Our subject was fourteen years of age when he 
became a resident of St. Louis. There he began 
working in a brick yard for ^12 per month, and in 
October, 1844, at the age of fifteen, he began learn- 
ing the locksmith's trade, serving a three years' 
apprenticeship. He then worked for two years as 
a journeyman, after which he carried on business 
in St. Louis for five years. He then sold out and 
purchased a farm of one hundred and ninety-four 
acres fifteen miles from the city, where he carried 
on agricultural pursuits until 186(). 'I'he year pre- 
vious he purchased the farm on which he now re- 
sides, but retained the ownership of his Missouri 
farm until 1868. 

Mr. llelmkamp was married May 29, 1851, to 
Anna M. Schroeder, a native of Hanover, and they 
became the parents of eight children: Henry and 
John, who are farmers of M:idison County; Anna, 
wife of William Grealer, of St. Louis; Fred, who is 
well educated in German and English and is now 
teaching in a private school in St. l>ouis; Herman, 
who died at the age of twenty-live; Maria, who 
died at the age of four years; one who died in in- 
fancy; and Lewis, who aids in carrying on tlie 
home farm. For his second wife Mr. Helnikaiiip 
chose Mrs. Catherine Moelk, widow of Fred Sid- 
ing. She was born in Hanover, Germany, and 
when a young lady of seventeen came to America. 
By her first marriage she had twt) chibhx'n, Li/.zie, 
wife of Adolph Eiclihorn; and -Viidrew, who died 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



307 



at the age of four 3'ears. The children of the 
second niarnage are George, who is studying med- 
icine, Eddie, Emma, Amelia, Amanda and Ru- 
dolph. 

Mr. Ileliiikamp has been a strong politician. Ilis 
first vote was cast for a Democrat, but since that 
time he hassupijorted the men and measures of the 
Republican part>-. lie served as a School Director 
for eleven years and then resigned. He is a promi- 
nent member of the Evangelical Church, served as 
a Trustee in Missouri for twelve years, and after- 
ward for eight years in Madison Count}', when he 
resigned. 



(^ 



isM 



(^ 



i^. 



-^l 



^ 




ENRY WOLLBRI^'CK is living on the old 
homestead in Pin Oak Township, to which 
lie has added fifty acres, making of it one 
of the best estates in the section. He is of 
German birth, having been born in Prussia, Sep- 
tember 21, 18.52. His parents were Herman and 
Anna M. (Glassker) WoUbrinck, also natives of 
the Fatherland, whence they came to the United 
States about 18.58. 

The elder Mr. and Mrs. WoUbrinck first located 
in St. Louis, where the father foiiind work at the 
trade of a carpenter. There they remained until 
about 1809, when they came to this county and lo- 
cated u[)on the farm which is the present home of 
our subject. Here they spent the declining j'ears 
of their lives, dying at the respective ages of sev- 
enty-nine and sixty-five years. Of their family of 
four children, all are living with one exception. 

llenr^', of this sketch, <vas educated in the 
schools of St. Louis and was married in October, 
1865, to Miss Christina Kuhn, who is a native of 
this township and a daughter of Henry and Mary 
Kuhn. Their union was blessed liy the birth of 
eight children, two of whom died in infaiicj'. 
Those living are, Anna, who makes her home in 
St. Louis; Emma, .John, Lillie, Clara and George. 
Mr. WoUbrinck has always lived upon the old 
homestead, which he is managing in an admirable 



manner and to which he has added until it now 
comprises one hundred acres. 

The original of this sketch has filled various po- 
sitions of honor and trust in his township, being 
on different occasions Highway Commissioner and 
Collector. He is a Republican in politics and cast 
his first vote for R. B. Haj'es. With his family' he 
is a devoted member of the German Methodist 
Church, in the work of which body he takes an ac- 
tive part. He is public-spirited, ready at all times 
to do his share in the upbuilding and advancement 
of Pin Oak Township, and possesses the confidence 
and respect of all. 

The father of Mrs. WoUbrinck was born in 
Wurtemberg, German}-, and was the son of Jacob 
and Christina (Dolde) Kuhn, who in 1853 came to 
this countr3'and here lived and died. Their fam- 
ily included seven children, of whom three are 
living. Hcnr}' Kuhn was reared on a farm and 
was a young man of twent3'-four 3'ears when he 
set sail for the United States in 1848. From New 
York City he made his way to St. Louis, Mo., and 
from there in 1850 went to California, making the 
journey on foot. After remaining there for two 
years he returned further cast. He rented a farm 
in this cornt}' for a time and tlien returned to 
Germany for his parents. 

Henry ICuhn was married April 3, 1853, to Anna 
M. Abner, who was born in Germany August 17, 
1831. The lady was a daughtei- of George M. 
and Anna M. (Meyer) Abner, natives of Fricken- 
hauser, where the3' lived and died. The mother 
of Mrs. WoUbrinck is still living, making her home 
on the old farm in this county. 






^^\ ONRAD DETERDING, prominently identi 
(|(^_i fied with the farming interests of Madison 
^^^ County, is at present residing on section 
14, Namcoki Township, where he has a well im- 
proved estate. I^dcc man3' of the best agricultur- 
ists of this vicinit3', our subject was born in Ger- 
many, the date of that event being August 21, 



308 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



1835. He is tbe son of Christian and Sophia 
(Ilininaii) Dclerding, who came to Aiucricai in the 
year 1839; they located in this count}', and re- 
sided for ton years in Rich Prairie. 

In 1849 tlie [larents of our subject tooii up tiieir 
abode near Venice, tliis county, where the fatlicr 
died some years hitcr. His good wife, liowevcr, 
survived him iiuiiiy years, departing tliis life in 
St. Louis, Mo., at the age of eighty-three years. 
Conrad attended the comuiuii schools of Madison 
Count}', and spent his early life in performing the 
duties which usually fall to the lot of a farmer's 
bo}'. Two }ears after attaining his majority, he 
began life's struggles on his own account, and 
choosing farming as his vocjition, has followed it 
with good success ever since, lie is now the proud 
lX)ssessor of three hundred and sixty broad acres 
of as linely improved land as is to be found with- 
in the borders of this county, and also owns 
a large farm in Missouri, lie is an extensive 
grower of potatoes, not, however, to the neglect of 
corn, wheat, etc., which he raises in great (juantilics. 
Our sul)jetl iiiav he [)r()|ierly termed a self-made 
man, for alllK)Ugh lie was given the opportunity 
for acquiring a good education, he Inis been the 
architect of his own fortune, lie first commenced 
on sixty-five acres of land, which he managed in 
such an admirable manner as to increase it from 
time to time until now he is classed among the 
large and wealthy land owners of this section. 

Conrad Deterding was united in marriage in 
1859 with Miss Charlotte Dunderman, a daughter 
of Christ Dunderman. The latter was a native of 
tlie Kalherland, and crossed the -Mlanlic many 
years ago, making his home in Cook C'uunty, 111. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Deterding tliere were lH)rn live 
children, of whom two are deceased. Lizzie, the 
wife of .lulius SUautmann. lives in Missouri; 
Henry, who is also a resitlent of that stale, is mar- 
ried to Dora Warheidterg; and William, the young- 
est of the family, remains at home with his father. 

The wife and mother departed this life in 187G, 
and Mr. Deterding was again married in 1880, the 
lady on this occasion being Frcderika Korta, the 
daughter of Christian and Soi)hia (Hrener) KorUi. 
The lady w;is born in (_ieriiiany, and came to 
America when tUirtcun years of age. Her parents 



are still living in the Fatherland. To Conrad and 
Frederika Deterding there were born four chil- 
dren, of whom the eldest son died in infancy. 
Dorethea, Sophia Minnie and Anna Charlotte are 
at home with their |)ar"ents. 

Our subject and his family arc members in good 
standing of the ICvaiigelieal Lutheran Cliuich, al- 
though they are now greatly interested in Chris- 
tian Science. In politics, l\Ir. Deterding is a Dem- 
ocrat, but has never aspired to otiice holding, pre- 
ferring to give his attention entirel}' to his private 
interests and let those fill public positions who 
are anxious to do so. 



\Tr^)ERNARD MKINERLING has been a resi- 
|L>^ dent of this county since 1871, and has 
IK-I')/ ''ved upon his present 'fine estate since 
^S^ 1878. His farm, which is pleasantly lo- 
cated on section 4, Nameoki Township, comprises 
two hundred and sixty-two acres, which much 
haid work on his part has developed into one of 
the finest homes in Madison County. 

Like many of the very best residents of this .sec- 
tion, our subject claims (iermany as his native 
laii(L and w;is born in April. 1819. lie is the 
youngest in the family of Abel and Mai> (Kuter) 
Meinerling, also natives of the Fatherland, where 
they spent their entire lives. liernard attended 
school in his native land for ten years, ctnniilel- 
ing his education when sixteen years of age. He 
then l)ecame an apprentice to a eari)enter, whom 
he served for four years, and Lheii worketl at his 
trade for a i)eriod of six months in the Father- 
land. 

In 18()9 our subject, having determined to try 
his fortunes in the New World, embarked on a 
sailing-vessel which landed him in America after a 
voyage of a few weeks, and coming directly to 
this state, located in Clinton County, where he re- 
sided for two years, during which lime he w;is en- 
gaged in farm pursuits. In 1871 he made his ad- 
vent into this county, tilling the soil and living 
in various places until 1878, when he (lurchased 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



309 



his present valuable property, and has since been 
engaged in its cultivation. In addition to raising 
the v.arious cereals, Mr. IMeinerling makes a spe- 
cialty of potatoes, for which he finds a ready mar- 
ket in tiie surrounding towns and cities. He h.as 
become well-to-do, and it is his intention in the 
near future to retire from tlie .active pursuits of 
life and enjoy the fruits of his earlier toil. 

The marri.age of our subject with Margaret (Sa- 
genschneider) Zellarmann took pl.ace in 1878. 
Mrs. Meinerling became the mother of four chil- 
dren by a former m.arri.age, named respectively, 
August, Elizabeth, Francis and Anna. The parents 
are members of the Roman Catholic Church, in the 
faith of which Mis. Meinerling has reared her chil- 
dren. In politics our subject is a Democrat, and 
although preferring to give his attention to his 
private interests, has served as Road Commissioner. 



»> T >^ W I I 1 



? I ' I ' .! «.. 



REDKRICK W. SPITZE, one of the most 
l|-:;v»)' prominent farmers of Edwardsville Town- 
"' ship, Madison County, has helped to make 
the community wliat it now is by his industry and 
thrift, and thus sets an example of what persever- 
ance and honesty can accomplish. His estate com- 
prises two hundred and fifty .acres of excellently 
tilled land pleasantl}' located near the city of Ed- 
wardsville. 

The original of this sketch is of German birth, 
having been born in Marien Ilagen, Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, June 1 1, 1838. His parents, Frederick and 
Anna M. (Koester) S|)itze, were also natives of the 
Fatlierland, wliere the former was a bl.acksmith by 
trade and a farmer by occupation. They spent 
their entire lives in tliat countr}', dying at the age 
of forty-seven years. 

Frederick William was only four years of age 
when his parents died, and when old enougii was 
compelled to serve in the German army for six 
years. He spent the following five years on the 
old homestead, and in 1870 determined to try his 
fortunes in the New World. Embarking from 
Bremen on a sailing-vessel, he landed seven weeks 



later on American shores. Having heard of the 
fine farming land in this count3', he came directly 
to this section and for some time w.as employed in 
working out by the month. 

The date of Mr. Spitze's marriage with Miss 
Catherine Deitzel occurred in October, 1876. The 
lady was born in Germany, of which country 
her parents, Henry and Christiana Deitzel, were 
also natives. To our subject and his wife was born 
a family of ten children, all of whom arc living, 
namel}': Anna, William, Katie, Edward, Louis, 
Lydia, Martha, .Tiilius, Emma and I5ertha. 

Soon after establishing a home of his own, Mr. 
Spitze rented property, which he cultivated for 
nine years, and then having accumulated a suffi- 
cient sum, purchased a quarter-section of the land 
which is now included in his present estate. 
To this be later added ninety-five acres, and now 
li.as two hundred and fifty acres of productive 
land. Here he has Labored in tilling the soil and 
harvesting the grain, and through economy has be- 
come well-to-do and prosperous. He is not par- 
ticularly interested in political affairs other tlian 
to cast a vote for Republican candidates during 
national elections, preferring the quiet of his home 
life. In his religious views he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which denomin.a- 
tion his wife also belongs, and the cause of moral- 
ity and progress finds in him a stanch adherent. 
He is one of the county's most prominent self- 
made German citizens, and with his family occu- 
pies a high position among the best residents of 
this section. 



:^#(^ 



\i? O U I S W. K R I E G E. The gentleman to 
I (© whom we call the attention of our rcad- 
/IL^. ers is a prominent young agriculturist of 
Edwardsville Township. He is a native of this 
county, and his birth occurred November 15, 1856. 
His parents, William and IM.iry Kriege, were na- 
tives of German^', and emigrated to the United' 
States in 1854, coming directly to this county, 
where they became tlie owners of a forty-acre 
tract of land, which forms a portion of their pres- 
ent homestead. They are well known throughout 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPFTTCAL RECORD. 



tlii'ir c'oimn unity as kindly and coiisidoiati' pcoiile, 
and liavc ai'cuniiilalod a sulliciciicy of this wcirld's 
<;o<»ds to cnalilp Ihcm to pass t.lioir dodinint; years 
ill pence and plenty. 

In his h()\lioo(l our sulijcct ret-oivcd a common- 
scliool echiealion in liir district sciiool, prosecuting 
Ills studies during tlie winter and aiding his faliier 
on the farm during the summer inontlis. lie grew 
to a stalwait nianhood well litted to hear his part 
as an intelligent agriculturist and puMic-spirited 
citizen. lie was married October i<, 1881, to Mi.ss 
Tilda Niemau, also a native of (Jermany, and still 
continues to live at home, although In 1881 he pur- 
chased seventy acres (jf his own, which he is culti- 
vating ill a most profitahle maniiei'. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kriege have been born seven 
cliddren, as follows: Albert R., Otto 1?., Walter P., 
Klla M., Frances M., Edna L. and Florence L. The 
parents of our subject's wife were .lohn and Anna 
(Stulken) Nienian, also natives of the Old Coun- 
try, who emigrated to America about 18.)5. They 
are still living and make their home at Mt. Olive, 
this state. The italernal grandparents of Mr. 
Kriege were Henry and Klizabeth Kriege, who died 
in the Fatherland at the respective ages of sixty- 
four and sixty-lwo years. 

In his i)olitical relations, our subject is a true- 
blue Republican, casting his first vote for Garfield. 
He is an oiiteri)risinganil progressive young farmer. 
and is alike devoted to public and private inter- 
ests. 







FREDERICK O. HKRNIUS, !in honored vet- 

] eran of the late war, and now Piesident of 
_ the Kdwardsville l)iy Ooods Company, 

ocouples a prominent position in the commercial 
circle.'^ of M.adisoii County. A native of this city, 
lie was born September 1 1, 18|,'j, and is a son of 
Ilcnry and Louise Iternius. His father, who was 
born in Ilesse-Darnistadt, (icrmauy, became a resi- 
dent of Ivlwardsville in 18.'!;"), being its second 
Cierman citizen. He was a shoemaker by trade, 
and served as Constable and Police Magistrate for 



several years. He died August (>, I8(;i), and his 
wife p.assed away in 181'.!. They held member- 
ship with the L\illieian Church, and t<)ok an ac- 
tive pait in its work. In their family were three 
children: Louise, Frederick and Henry, but imly 
our subject is iu)w living. 

Mr. lieniiusof this sketch spent his boyhood 
days in his parents' home, and acfpiired his edu- 
cation in a [irivale school. He entered upon his 
business career as a merchant, and was thus em- 
ployed until the winter of 18C1, when, at the age 
of twenty-one, he became a member of Company 
K, Tenth Illinois Infantry, under Colonel Till- 
son. The regiment went to Iniliaiiapolis, thence 
to Springlicld and Nashville, and bec.'inie a pai t 
of the First lirigade. Second Division, Fourteenth 
Army Corps. He took part in all the b.attles of 
the Atlanta cam))aign, IJuzzard's Hoost, Rocky 
Face, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree 
Creek, and the buttles of Joncsboro and Lovejoy, 
after which he went into camp at Ivast Point, 
and later went with Sherman on the celebrated 
march to the sea. Ho went willi IMowei' to the 
(;ulf, and afterward took part in the capture of 
Ft. Mc.\llistcr,and later went to the Okceche River. 
Subsei|uently he was sent to the hospital, and 
then on to Washington and Philadelphia, where 
he remained for five weeks, when, on the 24tli of 
.Inly, I8(;5, he w.as honorably discharged. He was 
lirst wounded in the head at Atla ita, and on the 
3d of February was wounded in the left arm at 
Salkehalchie River, S. C. 

On his return home, Mr. IJernius engaged in 
merchandising with G. B. Crane ik Co., con- 
tinuing thus employed until 1801. When the ImI- 
wardsvillc l)r_v tioods Coini)any, which bought 
out the former company, was established, our sul)- 
ject was elected I'resident, which oflice he is at 
present filling. They carry a line of general 
merchandise, have a large stock, and control the 
greater part of the business in E<Uvardsville. their 
sales amounting to about :?12.'j,()00 per year. 

Mr. Bernius was married in Edwaidsvllle June 
I, 18()7, to I'hilipina Ritter, and they had five 
children: Rosa, who died at the .age of four years; 
Henry P., who died ;it the .age of twenty-two 
years; Frederick, who died at the age of twenty- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



311 



two months; Benjamin Edward and Peai'ly Frances. 
The parents are members of the Lutheran Church. 
Mr. Bornius is a niomher of tiie Odd Fellows' 
society, in which he has filled all the ollices ex- 
cept that of Noble Grand. He belongs to Ed- 
wardsville Post No. 4G1, G. A. R., of which 
he was Commander in 1888 and 1893. He or- 
ganized the Camp of Sons of Veterans, which 
was named in his honor. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat. In speaking of his character, we cannot 
do better than quote from an article written by 
his Captain, George C. Lusk, who said of Mr. 
Bcrnius: "As a soldier he had no superior; was 
ever willing, ready and prompt to do his duty, 
and was never sick or in the hospital exce|)t 
on account of wounds received. He was twice 
wounded, at one time slightly in the head, and at 
the other time badly in the loft arm. As a man 
he was generous, upright and honorable, and as a 
soldier was dutiful and brave." 



-^^>-^<m^- 



,¥/TER C. RANDLE, who has the honor of 
being called an old settler of Madison Coun- 
ty, is residing at the present time on section 
, \ 21, Omphghent Township. He was born in 
Montgomery County', N. C, July 14, 1818, and is 
the son of Peter J. Handle, whose birth occurred 
in old Virginia in 1781. The latter removed with 
his parents to North Carolina when a lad of four 
years, and was there reared to mature years and 
married. 

Peter J. Randle made the trip to this state with 
his family in 1832, locating on a farm in Edwards- 
ville Township, where he was residing at the time 
of his decease, when past three-score years and ten. 
His father was Isam Randle, also a native of Vir- 
ginia, and a soldier in the Revolutionary War, 
serving tlirough the entire period of eight years. 

The mother of our subject, wlio was born in the 
Old Dominion in 1777, was prior to her marriage 
Mary Apchurch. Her parents also removed to 
North Carolina, when she was eight years old. 
There she met and married Peter J. Randle, and 



departed this life near Edwardsville when ad- 
vanced in years. Botli parents were buried on 
the old home farm, where they spent so many years 
of their lives. 

The original of this sketch was one in a family 
of nine children, all of whom grew to mature years 
with one exception. They are, Janette, Martha, 
Isam, James, Maria, Elizabeth, Peter C. and Henry 
L. Our subject was in his fifteenth year when 
he came to this county, and five years later was 
married to Miss Susan Beeman, who was born in 
Greene County, this state. She became the mother 
of four daughters and five sons, and departed this 
life in tiie year L865. Five of her family are liv- 
ing. Mary, Mrs. Russell, resides in St. Louis; 
Sarah, Mrs. Dunning, is living in Worden Town- 
ship; Jennie E., now Mrs. Herin, is a resident of 
Virden, this state; Joseph M. is a farmer of Omph- 
ghent Township, this county; and Orman P. 
makes his home in Virden. 

Mr. Randle was married in 1867 to Matilda C. 
Holton, who was born on a farm in this county, 
March 19, 1833. She was the daughter of D. F. 
Spruiel, a native of North Carolina, who came to 
Madison County, this state, in 1828, thus becom- 
ing one of its pioneers. The mother of Mrs. Ran- 
dle was in her maidenhood Lydia Winn, also a 
native of North Carolina, and the daughter of 
George Winn. The second union of Mr. Randle 
resulted in the birth of two sons and one daugh- 
ter: Irvin Freeman, Silby W., and Martha C, who 
is deceased. 

The original of this sketch located alx)ut 1832 
on a farm near Edwardsville, and later went to 
Greene County, where he was also engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits for a few years. On his next re- 
moval we find him living in Macoupin County; 
there he made his home until 1869, when he re- 
turned to this county and located upon the farm 
where he is at present residing. 

Mr. Randle is classed among the substantial 
farmers of his townsiiip, and tliough advanced in 
years, is still carrying on the operations of his es- 
tate with the assistance of his two sons. In poli- 
tics he was first a Whig, liut is now a Republican. 
He is a member in good standing of the Christian 
Church, which he served in the capacity of Dca- 



.•n'> 



rOKTRAIT AND lUOGRAPIIICAL RKCORD. 



con for in:iny yours. Tin' Rjuitllos are known 
tliiiiiii;li()ut tlio t'ounly :is niiunii; its very osiilii'st. 
M'tlU'is, ;in(l Mrs. Uandlo's piirciils ;iImi canu- licrc 
in !\ vow carlv <l:iv. 



^H- 



l^*0«r^p? 



=.^ 




lilLMAM SMOI.A. No hotter representn- 
f' livo of lioni>sl, nprii;lit. manliood can lie 
\», \j/ fonnd llian is shown in the porson of onr 
snlijoct.onc of liio woll-to-do farnuMs of Mdwanls- 
villi" Township, and who has the honor of heinjj 
the lirst Itohcniiau to locnte in tiiis jiarl of the 
state. He was horn in I'stra, (Jerinany, Decenilier 
i;}, 183;$, and is the son of Martin and Lela (15en- 
der) Sniola, likewise natives of tliat country. 

The chler Mr. and Mrs. Sniola came to tlie 
United Stales in 184!t, being fourteen weeks en 
route from IJremen. After landing in New York 
lliey remained in that city for a sliort time and 
then went by way of canal to St. Louis, Mo. 
There the father was employed as a da}' laborer 
until I8.")l, and during those years our subject 
worked in a brick yard. In the spring of that 
year the family came to this count}- and located 
on forty acres of wild land in Kdwardsviile 
Township, which they labored hard to clear and 
improve. They made their home there for a pe- 
riod of four years, when they again moved, this 
time on property located nearer the city of Kd- 
wardsviile, and after a residence there of atwelve- 
iMonlli \vi? (ind them renting an estate. This was 
located near the present home of our subject, and 
here Mr. and Mrs. Martin Smola lived for sixteen 
yeai-s. At the end of that time tliey purch.ased 
the estate which is now in the possession of our 
subject, upon which tlie lather died when in his 
seventy-fourth year. His good wife departed this 
life when on a visit to her daughter, Mrs. Haw- 
sipple, at the age of sixty years. 

The parental family included nine children, 
only three of whom arc living at the present writ- 
ing. William received a thorough training in 
farming pursuits and remained under the parental 
roof aiding in the support of tlie family until es- 



tablishing a home of his own. He was married in 
I'Vbruary, IHTiT, to Miss .losephiiic S.i/.;iiika. whose 
birth also took place in I stra, (Icrmaiiy. the date 
thereof licing May 1, IHoli. She was the daughter 
of Frank an<l Anna Sa/.anka, the former of whom 
died while making the trip across the Atlantic in 
185;?. The mother of Mrs. Smola reached this 
county and departed this life at the home of our 
subject, aged sixty-nine years. Of tin- five chil- 
dren of whom she became the mother. Mrs. Smola 
is the only one now living. 

To our subject and his excellent wife were 
born nine children, two of whom are deceased. 
'I'hose living are, William, Lizzie, Lena, .loseph, 
Mary, Sophia and Frank. After his inarri.age 
Mr. Smola located upon this farm, which has since 
been his place of residence. In politics he is a, 
stanch Democrat. He has been called upon to fill 
the otlices f>f School Director and Highway Com- 
missioner, being tlic incumbent of the former po- 
sition for nineteen years, and the latter for nine 
years. With his family, he belongs to the Catholic 
CImucIi. His success in life is well merited and he 
is now numbered among the substantial agricult- 
urist*; of the conunuiiitv. 



l|]_- ERMANNG. GROSSE. There are few places 
i the size of Collinsville that claim more 
yi^' successful business men or exhibit greater 
l^)) competition in every line of tr.ade. Per- 
haps because of its desirable location, but more 
likely because of the ])rogressive spirit of its citi- 
zens, it has always enjo^^ed a good reputation and 
is a favorite place of residence for active business 
men. I'rominent among these is Mr. (Jros-se, who 
has a large and handsomely erjuipped drug store 
in the city. 

Our subject is a native of .St. Louis, Mo., born 
February 12. 18.')2. He is the son of Charles \V. 
and .lohanna (Mende) (Jrosse, both of whom were 
natives of Germany and emigrated to the Cnited 
States when young. The parents were married 
in St. Louis, Mil. where the father carried on the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



313 



trade of a shoemaker for nianj' years. He is now 
making his home in Colliiisville at the venerable 
age of seventy-tlirec years. In 1892 he was de- 
prived of his cyesiglit and is now totally blind, but 
IS cared for by his good wife. 

Hermann G. Grosse attended school in CoUins- 
villo until fourteen years of age, when, his par- 
ents being in limited circumstances, he was obliged 
to look out foi- himself. He entered the employ 
of Dr. VV^idsworth, working in his drug store in 
Collinsville, and remained with that gentleman 
for three years. He tlien determined to educate 
himself for a druggist, and returning to St. Louis, 
entered a school of pharmacy, from which he was 
graduated in 1B72. That year we again find 
him in this city, where he eml)arked in the drug 
business on his own account, to which he has de- 
voted his entire time and attention ever since. 
He has found this to be a prosperous enterprise, 
and in its conduct he has won the esteem and con- 
fidence of the entire community. 

Hermann G. Grosse was married in June, 1875, 
to Miss Maria, daughter of Mathias and Christina 
(Bechtold) Neidenberger, natives of German}', 
hut who came to America and located in St. Louis 
at an early day. Of the ten children born to 
our subject and his wife, three died in infancy, 
and those who are still living arc, Clara, Emma, 
Bertha, Adolph, Louis, Walter and Arthur. Mr. 
Grosse and family are members of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church. He takes an active part in 
politics, and his .sympathies are with the Demo- 
cratic party. He has never sought jilace or posi- 
tion, l)ut when called upon to serve his fellow-men 
on the School Board and as a member of the City 
Council, he did so faithfully and well. He is a 
man honored b}- all who know him. 

■ifiONATHAN J. BERKEY. A goodly num- 
ber of the residents of Madison County 
have succeeded so well in their endeavor 
to gain a competence that they are en- 
abled to spend their declining years unharassed 
by anxious thoughts regarding their future sup- 



port, but can enjoy to the fullest extent the fruits 
of their industry. Among this number is the gen- 
tleman above named, who for many yeais was 
one of tiie well-to-do agriculturists of Collins- 
ville Township. He still owns one hundred and 
thirty-one acres on sections 3 and 8, i)ut is now 
living retired in Collinsville. 

Mr. Berkey was born in Somerset Countj% Pa., 
October 22, ISl."), and is the third in order of 
birth of the family of Daniel and Nancy (Stroud) 
Berkey, both of whom were also natives of the 
Keystone State. The parents came to Illiufiis in 
1819; they journeyed down the Ohio River In a 
flat boat to Cairo, and then ascended the Missis- 
sii)pi in a keel boat to St. Louis. Thence they 
came to St. Clair County and located on jiroperty 
near Belleville. The father was a blacksmith b}' 
trade, and on coming hither brought his tools, 
erected a shop on his place and continued to fol- 
low that business during his residence in St. Clair 
Count}'. At the same time he was actively en- 
gaged in farm pursuits, and succeeded in redeem- 
ing a tract of land from its wild state. 

In 1831 the elder Mr. and Mrs. Berkey purchased 
land in this count}', the present home of our sub- 
ject, and moving upon it, were engaged in its 
cultivation until the time of their decease. The 
father died in 1844, and was followed to the bet- 
ter land by his estimable wife, who died five days 
later. 

Our subject was only four 3'ears of age at the 
time of his parents' removal to this state, and when 
old enough he attended the subscription schools. 
He remained under the parental roof until reach- 
ing his twenty-first j'ear, when he decided to com- 
mence life on his own account and chose farming 
as his vocation. Although owning a fine estate, 
he has always made his home in Collinsville, 
where he owns a beautiful residence with pleas- 
ant surroundings. Mr. Berkey is now nearing 
his seventy-ninth birthday, and is quite active 
and enjoys fair health. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1844 was Miss Sarah, daughter of Edward and 
Rebecca (Tainter) Chapman, natives respectively 
of Connecticut and Massachusetts. Mrs. Berkey 
was born in New York State, whither her parents 



:n I 



r(iRTU.MT AM) RionRAnnr.M. RiTcinn. 



Iiiid ii'iiiox eiJ, and wlioio tlio.v woio liviiij; iit l.lii' 
tiiiK' of llieir (leocuso. \i\ lier union with our snl)- 
jocl slie becjinic the mother of live cliildrtMi, of 
wlioni llie cldost died in infjiney. 'I'iie seeond 
ohili), Wiiliiun Kdw.ird, was f oiinei iy a prominent 
farnicr of liiis county and dei)arted this life at the 
fine of tliirty-liveyeai-s. His wife, Louisa (Comhs) 
Berkoy, and dauglitor, Helen L., arc still livin>i:. 
Clara, our subject's eldest duuf:;litcr, married Na- 
than t'hanillcr and makes her home in St. l,t>uis. 
Klmer L., a commercial traveler, married Miss Mary 
/.ank, of Troy, this sljite. Sarah H., who was the 
youngest of the family, died when in l.er fourth 
year. 

Mr. anil Mrs. IJorke}' are active and useful mem- 
hei-s of the Presbyterian Church. In politics the 
former is a strou<> Hcpublican and cast his first 
vote for the ^Vhi•I rrcsidcnt, William Henry Har- 
rison. He has never .ispired to political honors, 
but the eneri;y and pruch'nce exhibited in the ac- 
cumulation of property make him one of the best 
examples of a self-made man to be met with in 
this vicinity. 



:^)^#(^ 



yHLMAM S( liri;r/.F„ a leading citizen of 
Tioy, was born in (Jermany, February 2, 
\>^ 1847, and is the fourth among the chil- 
dren born tt) A. C. and Mary (Xabc) Schult/c. 
His father, likewise a native of Germany, was 
born October I, 1810, and emigrated in 18,55 to 
Ameiica, settling in St. Louis, where he sojourned 
a short time. From there he came to JLadison 
County and settled on a farm, where he cng.aged 
in tilling the soil for twelve yeai-s. He then 
moved to the vicinity of Marine, this county, and 
three years later settled in Jarvis Townshi|i, near 
Trov, where he has since made his home. Not- 
withstanding his eighty-four years, he is still en- 
ergetic and hale, possessing a mental and physical 
vigor whirh many much his junior fail to possess. 
His first wife, our subject's mother, died in (!er- 
manv. He was again married and his second wife 
is still living. 

At the age of six years William Schultze l)ecame 
a pupil in the scIhmiIs of Oermany, where he re- 



mained two years. When eight years old he ac- 
companied his father to America, and afterward 
continued his studies in the public and Lutheran 
sclu)ols of Madison County. He spent his early 
life upon the home farm, and at the age of twenty- 
five began trading in live stock, which he has fol- 
lowed more or less ever since. At different times 
he h.is also conducted a general store, a meat mar- 
ket and a retail litpior business in Troy. At the 
present time, however, his attention is confined to 
trading in live stock. He h.as always been .active 
and industrious, never allowing himself to be iille 
when a business op|>ortunit.y presented il,sclf. 

On the 10th of M.ay, 1879, William Schultze 
was united in marriage with Miss Klizaboth, daugh- 
ter of Michael and Lena (Spore) (Jaber, natives of 
Germany. This marriage has resulted in the birth 
of nine children, one of whom is deceased. The 
others remain with their parents, viz.: Minnie, 
Lizzie, William, Lena, Emma, Theresa, Uobert and 
Tillic. In religious connections Mr. and Mrs. 
Schultze are identified with the Lutheran Church. 

In politics, Mr. Schultze is a pronounced Demo- 
crat, and an active worker in the part}'. He has 
filled many important local oHices, and for eight 
years h.as served his township as Assessor. He is 
a loyal citizen of the United Stjites and supports 
the institutions of our countrj', where the greater 
portion of his life h.as been pas.sed. Socially he is 
a genial, companionabk' gentleman, who has a 
host of friends in this coniimuiily. 

^j^^ICHOLAS O. KLKIN. It is not accident 
I jlj that helps a man in this world, but persisl- 
[Ij, il^ ent energy and unceasing industry. The 
life of N. O. Klein affords a striking illustration 
of this fact. He came tt) this cixinly without a 
dollar in his pocket, but by his untiring etTi)rts he 
h.as succeeded in his undertakings, and is to-day 
regarded as one of the honest and well-l<.>-do agri- 
culturists of Pin Oak Township. 

t)ur subject was born in Lake County, hid., 
January 18, 1856, and is the son of Peter and 
Mary Kloin, natives of Germany, wlui were born 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIITCAL RECORD. 



315 



on the banks of the River Rhine, near the French 
l)ordcr. Tiie parents came to the United States in 
1847, liciiig ai'fomp.'iniod on llin journoy by three 
ohildrcn. Threo more wcic added to tiie family- 
circle after locating in the New Woild. of whom 
our snl)ji'ct was one. Peter Klein settled in Lake 
County, Ind., whore he was residing at the time of 
his decease, in 1883, when in his seventy-ninth 
year. His good wife died in the same county 
about eight years later, being at that time eighty- 
two years of age. 

Nicholas O. Klein remained with his parents un- 
til reaching his ninctceiilh year, and then, having 
heard so much alxMit the Prairie State, he bid fare- 
well to the sc-enes of his childhood and came to 
Madison County. The following five years were 
spent by him in farm work, and when ready to es- 
tablish a home of his own, October 10, 1882, he 
was married to Miss Catherine Dunn. Mrs. Klein 
is the daughter of Michael and Catherine (Ma- 
loney) Dunn, natives of Ireland, wh<» came to 
America when fjuite young. Mrs. Dunn is still 
living in this count}-; \w.i- husband departed this 
life about three yeais ago. IMrs. Klein was born 
in Madison County, .lanuary 1, 185.0, being one in 
a family of twelve children, six of whom are liv- 
ing. 

Three daughters have come to bless the home of 
our subject and his wife: Clara E., born May 9, 
1887; Benlah M., August 10, 1890; and Nora J., 
December 17, 1891. For some time after his mar- 
riage, Mr. Klein farmed rented property, but by 
his energj' and industry, together with the assis- 
tance of his good wife, he was soon enabled to 
purchase a home of his own, and is now living on 
what was known as the old Pates farm. It com- 
prises two hundred and twenty acres of land, well 
improved, is stocked with good grades of animals, 
and in every respect is one of the finest estates in 
the county. 

Our subject is what may be termed a self-made 
man. Not having the advantage of attending 
school in his youth, but having a thirst for knowl- 
edge, he read everj'thing that came in liis way 
until he could afford to ])urchase good books. 
With his good wife lie is a member of the Catholic 
Church, and in politics he is a strong Democrat, 



having cast his first vote for Samuel J. Tilden. 
Two 3'ears ago he was elected Supervisor of his 
townsliip, which ollice he is now filling. For six 
years he li:is served ,'is Highway Coiiiniissioner, and 
for the same length of time rendered valuable aid 
on the School Poard. 



-E^ 



e 



IIRISTIAN ir. KUNNEMANN. This prom- 
inent young business man of Nameoki is 
carrying on a thriving trade as a grocer 
and dealer in farm implements. He is honest and 
upiiglit in all his dealings, courteous in his treat- 
ment of customers, and as a consequence is enjoy- 
ing a fine patronage, selling goods throughout the 
surrounding country. He is a native of the coun- 
t}-, having been born in Nameoki Township, De- 
cember 3, 186.'), and is the sixth in order of birth 
of the family of William and Minnie (Wissel) 
Kunnemann, botli of whom were natives of llan- 
ovei, Germany. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to America 
when quite young. In this county they met and 
were married, and here they are still living, the 
father being a prominent and well-to-do farmer of 
this section. Christian, of this sketch, attended 
the common schools for a time and then prose- 
cuted his studies in .lones Commercial College of 
St. Louis. A year after attaining his majority, he 
began life's struggles on his own account, accept- 
ing a clerkship in the mercantile establishment of 
Kohl it Neiman, at Venice, this state, where he re- 
mained for one year. 

In 1890 Mr. Kunnemann engaged in business 
for himself in this place, and is now looked upon 
as one of the leading young business men of south- 
ern Illinois. He has a full line of groceries, farm 
implements, etc., and it is said that he carries 
everything needed in the home or on the farm 
from a pin to a threshing machine. 

Christian Kunnemann was married October 29, 
1891, to Miss Ida C, daughter of Fritz and Kath- 
erine (Habrock) Kalilc, Tiatives of Hanover. Mrs. 
Kunnemann was born in this county in 1871, and 
by her union with our subject has liecome the 



316 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



motlipr of ft danglitcr, Ivy. M\: aiul Mrs. Kiiiine- 
ninnii .ire devoted nu"nil)ers of the Kvangelical 
Liitlieran Cliureli. .Soci.iUy, the former belongs 
to Ix)(Jge No. 87, I. O. O. F., and at the jiresent 
time is serving as Noble (irand of liis lodge. He 
also belongs to Moltke Lodge No. lo, O. D. H. S., 
of which he is President. 

In jvilitics, our subject is an unswerving Repub- 
lican, lie has been elected two terms as Assessor, 
and for the same length of time filled the position 
of Town Clerk. lie is a very active worker in his 
party, and whatever he undertakes is sure to suc- 
ceed. 



; ]OIIN II. STIKMIANS, proprietor of one of 
the well known business houses of Tro}-, 
was lK>in in (ierniany, May 8, 1849, being 

^ the eldest child of William and Willieimna 
(Nolkamper) Sticnh.Tiis, natives <)f tiio same coun- 
try as that in wiiicli he was born. In th;tt land 
the father spent his entire life, passing away in 
18;")'.). The wife and mother came to America in 
1871, and at ]>rescnt makes her home in Troy. 

()r|)haned by his father's death when he was a 
lad of ten years, .lohn H. Stienhans afterward con- 
tinued his studies in the schools of Germany until 
he w.as fourteen. At that age he entered upon an 
apprenticeshiji at cabinet-making, serving at the 
trade for four years. Soon after completing his 
apprenticeship he embarked for America, and pro- 
ceeding directly westward after landing, settled at 
Washington, Mo. There he worked for a time at 
his trade, after which he was employed on the 
Missouri Pacific Hailroad for two years. Later, 
going to St. Louis, he worked at his trade for two 
years, and then returned to Washington, Mo., 
where he embarked in the cabinet and furniture 
business. 

In the spring of 187fi,aftera four years' sojourn 
in Washington, Mo., Mr. Stienhans came to Illi- 
nois, and settling in Troy, engaged m the cabinet- 
making and fuinilure business, which he has since 
successfully followed. In 18H.'? he added stoves 
and tinware to his slock and n<)w lia.s one of the 
best establishments in the countv, in fact, one of 



the best in this section f>f the state. As a busi- 
ness man, he is accurate in methods, reliable in 
his transactions and accommodating in disposi- 
tion, and has the confidence of the people with 
whom business relatif)ns have brought him in 
contact. 

The lady who on the 23d of November, 1871, 
became the wife of Mr. Stienhans was Wilhelmina 
Maria .Strodtman, who was born in St. Charles 
County, Mo., of German parentage. This union 
has resulted in the birth of eight children, all liv- 
ing and named as follows: Julius, a resident of 
Evansville, Ind.; Charles; .lohn; Henry, who is in 
Washington, Mo., learning the trade of a tinner; 
Eddie; George; Amanda and Martha, who are 
students in the home schools and are being trained, 
under the careful supervision of their parents, for 
positions of usefulness and honor in the worlil. 

Although for years active and potent in polit- 
ical affairs as a member of the Democratic party, 
Mr. Stienhans never sought ollice for himself. He 
has, however, been chosen to serve in a number 
of local ollices, including the position of Trustee 
of Troy. With his family he holds membership 
in the Evangelical Lutheran ('lnuch,and is always 
ready to co-operate in entei-piiscs calculated to ad- 
vance the religious, moral, social or busine.s.s inter- 
ests of the community. 



=-M^-f^l=- 



\lfAMES G. MILI.KR was born on the place 
which he now occupies, forty acres of 
which were entered from the (iovornment 
by his father. This important event took 
place August 1, 1817. His father, Hon. Theodore 
Miller, was a native of the (i rand Duchy of Baden, 
Germany, nn<l came to America in 18;i5, when 
fifteen years of age. He made farming his voca- 
tion in life, and after making his way to this 
county located on the farm now owned by our 
subject. He was a i)rominent man in his locality, 
for sixteen years served as .lustice of the Peace, 
and later was elected to the State Legislature, 
serving for one term. He was intimately associ- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



317 



aled with the early history of the township, and 
at his death, in 1876, left a valuable estate. 

The niutlier of our subject, whose maiden name 
was Elizabeth Anderson, was born in Tennessee 
and is now living in St. Jacob. James G. was the 
elder of her two sons; he had four sisters, one of 
whom was killed when young by being kiclied by 
a horse. The others are, Clara, Mrs. Kircher, of 
St. Jacob; Hannah, now Mrs. Dugger, who resides 
in Missouri; and Anna, the wife of Lew Wentz, 
who lives in Marine. John E. is a prominent 
farmer of this township, his estate joining that of 
our subject's. 

James G. Miller was married in 1879 to Jliss 
Anna Schmidt, who was born in Marine, of Ger- 
man parents. Their union has resulted in the 
birth of seven children, Blanche, Henry T., Anna, 
Walter J., Hilda, Clara and Orville Edmund. 

In politics our subject is a believer in, and a sup- 
porter of, Democratic principles. He was elected 
Su|)ervisor in 1879 and again in 1890. He is a 
member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Associa- 
tion, in which he is greatly interested. 

Mr. Miller's farm includes two hundred and 
twenty broad acres, which he is operating in a 
business-like and methodical manner. He is a man 
of steady habits, a kind and helpful neighbor,and 
is in every way to be relied upon. 



'~ OSEPH J. RENFRO. A lifetime of earnest 
endeavor in following agricultural pursuits, 
coupled with strict integrity, honesty of 
J purpose and liberality, has tended to place 
Mr. Renfro among the highly honored and suc- 
cessful business men of Collinsville, where he is at 
present residing. He is the owner of three hun- 
dred acres of fine farming land, upon which he 
lived until 1893, wheif he moved his family into 
the city and is now prei)ared to take life easy. He 
was born near this [dace December 31, 1830, and 
was the third in order of birth of the family of 
Joseph and Elizabeth (Vanhouter) Renfro. 

The father of our subject was a native of Ken- 
tucky, while his good wife was born in Tennessee. 



They both emigrated to this state in an early day 
and here met and were married. The father was 
a brick manufacturer and the proprietor of a good 
estate, which he conducted in such a manner as to 
place him among the leading farmers in Madison 
Count}'. He departed this life in January, 1831, 
when our subject was only three weeks old. Mrs. 
Elizal)etli Renfro lived until Januaiy 29, 1861, 
and at her decease had the satisfaction of know- 
ing that her children were well settled in life. 
Joseph, of this sketch, spent his boyhood days on the 
homestead and attended school in Troj' Township. 
When attaining his majority he began life on his 
own account, and choosing farm pursuits as his 
vocation, worked in a systematic manner and in 
conseciuence has a good fortune and is numbered 
among the leading farmers of the county. He has 
always been a wide-awake business man and em- 
braces every opportunity for advancing his own 
interests and those of the community in which he 
makes home. His possessions, which have been 
accumulated entirely through his industry and 
good management, include three hundred acres of 
excellent land in Tioy and Collinsville Townships. 

Mr. Renfro was married in April, 1856, to Miss 
Nancy E., daughter of Stephen and Eliza (Teeter) 
Gaskill, both of whom were born in New York. 
Their union has been blessed b}' the birth of eight 
children, three of whom died in infancy. 'Ihose 
now living are, Mar^- I., the wife of John Tether- 
iugton, of this county; Stephen W., a farinei- of 
Jarvis Township; James 0.,also engaged in tilling 
the soil in Collinsville Townshi|); Harr^' and John 
(). In October, 1893, Mr. Renfro moved with his 
famil}- to this city, where he has a number of warm 
friends and where he is respected by all who know 
him. 

Our subject and his good wife are both members 
in good standing of the Methodist Church. So- 
cially the former is connected with Collinsville 
Lodge No. 7, K. F.A; A. M. Politically siieaking, 
he has always been a Republican, but has of late 
years become convinced that the liquor question 
is of paramount importance, and he therefore 
works with the Prohibition i)arty. For the past 
thirty years he has served as a member of the 
School Board, in wliich he has rendered eflicient 



318 



rORTRAIT AND BlOCKAnilCAL RIX'ORD. 



work. lie is vciy |>i'uniiiicnt in roligiuiis afTaira 
and has iKJcn Su|>crinU>ndt'iii <>f llic Siinday-scliool 
and Tiuf-tci- of tlic I'liurcli for many years. 

in 18!S2 Mr. l\i'nfrii was stricken wilb inllania- 
tory rlii'iiiiialisni; ahiiul Uvo years later lie lost liis 
voice as the result of his sickness and has since 
been nnable to converse above a whisper. 



■^ 



|AC()15 M. OCI.Iv On section 19, Jarvis 
I Township, Madison County, lies a pleasant, 
I fincl}' lilleci, well improved farm, which is 
' the property of our snbject. It coin prises 
eighty-four acres, which he cultivates in sncli a 
manner as to produce an abundant harvest. Mr. 
O^le was Ixirn in St. Clair County, this state, July 
20, 1834, and is the yonngest son in a family of 
twelve children liorn to his (larents, .Jacob and 
Klizabeth (Telcr) Ogle. 

The father of our subject was also a native of 
St. Clair County, where he spent his entire life. 
lie was a very prominent agriculturist and a pop- 
ular nionitx'r of his community. At one time he 
represented St. Clair County in the Stale Legisla- 
ture when the ca[)itol was located at Vandalia. 
lie was prospered in his agricultural adventures, 
and after retiring frt)m farm life he served for 
many years as Justice of the Peace. In his death, 
which t>ccurred in 18 17, the county lost one of il« 
most valued citizens. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Caj)!. 
Joseph Ogle, was a soldier in the War of 1812, in 
which he rose from the ranks of a private to be 
Captain. Our subject li.as not many facts concern- 
ing the ancestry- of his mother. His education was 
received in an old log schoolliouse with rude 
furnishings; it little resembled the modern build- 
ings of to-day. whei-e the children have evei'j- ad- 
vantage afforded them for lilting themselves to 
oi-cnpy responsible |K>sitions in life, lie was de- 
prived of his mother's care when only two years 
of age; and his father dying when he w.-is a lad of 
fifteen years, he was taken into the home of rela- 



tives, with wliom he remained until attaining his 
nuijority. 

The lady to whom our subject was married in 
1801 was Miss Kva Ilanon. S(»on after their mar- 
riage they removed to Iowa, where Mr. Ogle spent 
three years in farm pursuits. At the end of that 
time he returned to Illinois and locati'd in St. 
Clair County, where he carried on fanning until 
March, 1881. He then moved u|)on his beautiful 
farm on section li), where he has since made his 
home. The farm comprises eighty-four acres, all 
under the best methods of impr<,)vemcnt. 

Mrs. Ogle was the daughter of Klijali and .Maria 
(Armstrong) Ilanon, natives of Monmonlh, this 
state. Hy her union with our suliject she became 
the mother of seven chihlren, two of whom are 
deceased. Those living are, Harry; IJertha, now 
Mrs. James Renfro, of this county, and Maria, 
I'eter 15. and Kllen. at home with their father. 
Mrs. Kva Ogle departed this jif.' in l.HSS. and in 
April, 18',l2,our sul)ject was married to liis present 
wife, who bore the name of .Miss Laura I'urvince. 

Mr. Ogle is a man of soliil worth, possessing in 
an eminent degree those traits of character that 
command respect. He is a believer in Chrislianily, 
and in polities is a Democrat. He manifests a <(>ni- 
mendable interest in everyliiing perlaining to the 
welfare of the county, and in the work of public 
improvement he has always borne a part. 



?) DWAKI) C. LKUTWILKK, a member of the 
■r"] lirm of Lcutwilcr llros., jiroprictors of the 
-J Highland Maihme Shoi)s, is one of the 
prominent and prosperous business men of the 
place. The factory, which is one of the leading 
industries of the county, w.is established by the 
father of our subject in 1811); since that time, 
luiwcver, it has been rebuilt and remodeled until 
it is now, with the aid of improved machinery, 
able to turn out great ipiantities of work. 

Samuel Leutwiler, the founder of the machine 
shops, was lK)rn in Switzcrl.and in ISL"), and 
learned the machinist's trade in his native land. 
lie was there married to Miss Elizabeth Hediger, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



319 



and in 1845 emigrated to this country with his 
fainily, which then e()nn)riscd two children. It 
was afterward increased until it included eleven 
inenibers, of whom five are deceased. The elder 
Mr. and Mrs. Leutwiler on locating in the New 
World made their home for four years in St. 
Louis, where the father worked at his trade, and 
in 1849 took up their abode in Highland, where 
he established the business in which our subject 
has an interest. His sister Lizzie is the wife of 
Henry Zobrist, a farmer residing near Highland; 
Adolpli is in partnership with P^dward C; Minnie 
married John Kraeuchi, a railroad man, and lives 
in Salma, Kan.; licrtha is the wife of Albert Ur- 
ban, a blacksmith of this city; John is the propri- 
etor of a machine shop in Trenton, this state; and 
Eniil}' is the wife of Charles Stanim, who has been 
connected with the Highland Union for many 
years. 

Edward C. was born March 13, 1864, and was 
educated in the scliools of Highland. When about 
sixteen years of age, he began to learn the trade 
of a machinist under the instruction of his father. 
He remained witli him until his decease, when, in 
company with his brother Adolpli, he succeeded 
to the business. In 1893 they erected a new two- 
story brick addition to the works and now have a 
very large and coini)lcte shfip. 

Mr. Leutwiler was married March 4, 1891, to Miss 
Maggie Bleisch, whose father, Anton J. Bleisch,died 
in 1889. Her mother now resides in Highland. 
Our subject is public spirited, and although de- 
voting his time and attention to his large business, 
is interested in all |)ublic improvements and is one 
of the city's most intluential men. 



'(^-^ ANS MEIER, who resides on section 3, Col- 
linsville Township, Madison County, owns 
and operates two hundred and thirty acres 
of fine land, fifty acres of which are in the 
Great American Bottoms, 'i'his is known as one 
of the valuable and desirable places of the com- 
munity, being under a high state of cultivation 




and well improved with all the accessories and 
conveniences of a model farm of the nineteenth 
century. The fields are well tilled and an air of 
neatness and thrift [lervades the place and indi- 
cates the careful sui)ervision of the owner. 

Mr. Meier was born in Hanover, Germany, De- 
cember 31, 1824, and is the fifth in a family of six 
children whose parents were Hans and Catherine 
Meier. They spent their entire lives in Germany. 
The father diecj when our subject was only four- 
teen years of age, but his mother lived several 
3'ears longer. In accordance with the laws of his 
native land, Hans Meier, of this sketch, attended 
the public scliools until fourteen years of age, at 
which time he started out to earn his own liveli- 
hood. He entered the employ of a carpenter, 
serving a three years' apprenticeship Uy that trade, 
after which he worked as a journcynian for some 
time. At length he determined to seek a home in 
the United States, ho[)ing thereby to benefit his 
financial condition. 

In the early part of 1887 Mr. Meier crossed the 
ocean and took up his residence in St. Louis, 
where for three years he worked at his trade. He 
then came to Madison County and located upon the 
farm which is still his home. For a few years after 
his arrival here he worked at cari)entering for the 
farmers through the winter months, while in the 
summer season he gave his time and attention to 
the cultivation and development of his land. He 
has been a hard worker, and his industry, enter- 
prise and well directed efforts have brought him 
success. Now at the age of .seventy- years he is 
enjoying good health and is surrounded by all the 
comforts of life. 

On the 14th of Aiiril, 18.50, Mr. Meier was 
united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Peters, who 
died in 18(55. Six children were born of their 
union, of whom three are deceased. Those who 
still survive arc: Katie, wife of Herman Kothman, 
of Madison County; Charles, who married Doro- 
thea Blum and is also living in Madison County; 
and Frederick, who married Mary Bartells and is 
living in the same county. Mv. Meier was again 
married in 18(j7, his second union being with Miss 
Lizzie I'.artells, who died in 1883. They also luul 
six children, three of whom are yet living: lulward 



320 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



and Louis, at lioiiie; ami Anna, wife of Tiieodorc 
Longer. Mv. Meier ami liis family' are all nieni- 
bers of tlie Lutiicran Cliurcii, contribute liberally 
to its support and take an active part in church 
work. In |Kjlitics Mr. Rleicr is a sUuich Democrat 
but has never tispired to public olfice, preferring 
to give his entire time and attention to his busi- 
ness interests, in which he has met with a good 
and well deserved success. 




^I LLI AM S. RAMSKV. This energetic and 
extensive farmer and stock-raiser is a resi- 
dent of Helvetia Township, where he was 
burn February 21, 18J3. His father, Norris W. 
Hanisey, was born in Lincoln County, N. C, July 
7, 1804, and his father, whose given name was 
Walton, was of Irish birth. The Hanisey family 
was one of the very lirst to settle on Sugar Creek, 
in this townshi]), and the children comprised in 
the grandparents' family were six sons and two 
daughters. They were in the front rank of the 
prominent pioneers, and many of them became 
wealthy as well as prominent in the political world. 
One of the brothers, Oswald, becanie one of the most 
extensive farmers in the county; another. Stan- 
hope, W.1S also a large farmer and stockman, and 
bis son, Kufus N. Ramsey, is the present State 
Treasui-er of Illinois and has served several terms 
in the Stale Legislature. 

The father of our subject started in life with ab- 
solutely notiiing but his strong hands and willing 
heart. In December, 18:52, Norris Hamsey married 
Leah Graccy, who was also a native of North Caro- 
lina, her birth occurring March 19, 181.3. The 
young couple at once settled on a small farm two 
miles from Sugar Creek and linally came to the 
place whei'c our subject now makes his home. The 
father was compelled lo go in debt for the place 
and also for an t)x-team which it was necessary 
for him lo have. A year or two after his marriage 
Norris Kanisey purchased a good sup|ily of bacon, 
and with several other pioneers started out with 
ox-teams to the mines at C.alena, this stale. This 



was a long and perilous undertaking at Ihe time, 
for the prairies were covered with wolves, and 
many times while cooking their meals the little 
camp would be surrounded by them. But with 
the assistance of guns and a -faithful dog which 
they took with them, they readied their destina- 
tion ill safety. Mr. Ramsey made several hundred 
dollars on this trip, and on his return he com- 
menced to trade in stock; he became one of the 
most extensive stockmen in southern Illinois, deal- 
ing in thousands of head each year, lie was an 
expert in this business, and commencing as he did 
without a dollar, he by his own exertions and good 
business judgment made a large fortune, owning 
at one time more than three thousand acres of 
land. A man of great force of character and a 
leader among men, his word was considered as good 
as his bond for any amount liiatlie might ask. lie 
was known far and near as a shrewd but honest 
and upright man. Norris Ramsey died December 
'.I, 18(j5, leaving a wife and children. The moMicr 
afterward made her home with her children, and 
departed this life February 10, 1883. 

William S. was the only son of his parents, but 
he had three sisters. Rachel is the wife of James 
Leslie, an extensive farmer of Spartii, Randolph 
County; lierthana married Thomas .Sniilli, who 
was Circuit Clerk of Clinton County for four terms 
and also a member of the State Legislature; they 
are both now deceased. Klla became the wife of 
George I'liclps, who was a son of .ludgc Phelps, of 
Uond County, :ind atone time was Circuit Clerk of 
that county. Mrs. I'hclps is also deceased. 

Our subject grew to manhood on his father's 
farm and received but little .schooling; as he had 
a prediieclion for the stock business, when a 
mere child could lie found speeding across the 
prairies (Jii horseliack hunting stock, his bare feet 
dangling in the tall prairie grass, which sometimes 
cut them to the bone. Yet he liked it and it became 
second nature lo him. lie has licen engaged in this 
pursuit all his life with the exce|)tioii of the last 
few years. lie retired from active life on account 
of his ill health and is now taking life easy on his 
farm, while he rents the larger part of the (ilace to 
teuanUs. His landed possessions aggregate live 
hundred acres of line land, u|)oii which are U) be 




GOTTLIEB MESSERLY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



323 



found all llie im|jrovciiien Is, substantial buildings, 
neat fences and well tilled fields. 

IMiss Nancy K. Ramsey, the daugliter of Leander 
Ramsey, a pioneer of tliis county, was married to 
our subject June Hi, 1872. The lady is a second 
cousin of her husband, and by their union a family 
of seven children was born, five of whom are de- 
ceased. The living are William [{.Morrison Ram- 
sey, a lad of eleven 3'ears, named after William R. 
Monison, and Luella, who is now in her seventli 
year. 

INIr. Kamsey has never aspired to political honors, 
attending strictly to his private business, and with 
bis wife is a member of the Congregational Church, 
in which he is a Trustee. In politics Mr. Ramsey 
casts his vote with the Democracy. 



[(s)^ ^mM®.. ^(fi>) 



^^ OTTLIEIJ MESSERLY. This section of the 
III (— — , country has always proved vei^' attractive 
^^ijj to citizens of foreign birth wlio have emi- 
grated to America with a desire to secure better 
advantages for themselves and their families. 
Among the sons of Switzerland who have become 
desirable ac.(iuisitions to the population of Madison 
County we mention the name of Mr. Messerl3', a 
prosperous retired fanner of Alhambra Township. 
Mis landed [lossessions are extensive, including four 
hundred acres in the home farm, ninety-five acres 
in Saline Townsliip and thirty acres in Marine 
Township. 

The parents of our subject, Benedict and Anna 
(Schoenberger) Messerly, were both born in Switz- 
erland in 1805. The father, who was a son of 
Christian Messerly, followed the trade of a carpen- 
ter and was an expert skilled workman. At the 
age of about twcnt3'-seven he entered the army 
and served for four years as a soldier for Italy. 
On retiring from the army he w.as engaged at his 
trade in the city of Berne until th^ fall of 1841), 
12 



when he accompanied our subject to the United 
States and settled in Highland, 111. Here he re- 
sided until about the middle of May, 1850, when 
he disai)pearcd and was never afterward heard of. 
His wife died in Switzerland in 1840. 

When about twenty-five years old Jienedict 
Messerly married Anna Schoenberger and they be- 
came the parents of three sons and two daughters, 
our subject being the eldest of the family. The 
others are, Elizabeth, Frederick, Ran(loli)h and 
Maria, all of whom remained in the Old Country 
exce|)ting Frederick, who came to the United 
States and here remained until his death. The 
parents were in religious belief members of the 
Lutheran Church. Our subject was born in Can- 
ton Berne, Switzerland, June 27, 1830, and was 
only eleven years old vvhen he began to earn his 
own livelihood as a farm laborer. At the age of 
twenty he accomyjanied his father to the United 
States, arriving at New Orleans after an ocean voy- 
age of forty-seven days. Thence he came via Si 
Louis to Madison County, and settling in Highland, 
learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed 
about lour years. Later he was employed as a 
farm hand for three years. 

The first purchase made by Mr. Messerly con- 
sisted of eighty acres of prairie land, without any 
improvements. To this he has from time to time 
added, until, as above stated, his possessions ag- 
gregate live hundred and twenty-five acres. He 
IS a man of prominence in the community and one 
who takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. 
In politics he adheres to Democratic principles, and 
Is a loyal citizen of his adopted country. He is 
interested in educational matters and for twenty 
years has filled the position of School Director. 

The marriage of Mr. Messerly took place in 
185G, uniting him with Miss Elizabeth, daughter 
of Joseph and Elizabeth (Tschirgi) I'fiffner. This 
lady was born in Canton St. Gallen, Switzei land, 
and came to the United States alone. By her mar- 
riage she has become the mother of six children 
now living, John, who is an agriculturist of Kan- 
sas; William, of whom mention is made on an- 
other page of this volume; George, who follows 
the occupation of a farmer; Charles, who is with 
his parents; Matilda, wife of Louis Leduc of 



324 



I'OUTKAIT AND !5I()0UA1M1ICAL KECOHD. 



whom see sketch elsewhere in this work; nnd 
C'laiKliiK', wliu is at liuiiR'. The sons now operate 
the farm, Mr. Messorly iiaviiig reliri-il from active 
work. 



i^^C^ 



ACOH F. CLKl'l'KU was Secietiiry of lliu 
Troy Coal Mining Conii)any from its or- 
ganization until 188G, wlu-n it was merged 
into the Consolidated Coal Company of St. 
Louis. He remained with the latter concern until 
January of 18",M, when his connection with it was 
dissolved. Among the (!crman-Anierican resi- 
dents of Troy he occupies a foremost position, 
and such has Imcn his ability in business and his 
progressive spirit that he is recognized as one of 
the proniiniiit men in the county. 

Horn in (Jerniany March '.*, 185G, our subject is 
the only child of Adam and Fredcricka (Urehni) 
Clcppcr, also natives of tiie Fallieiland. lie was 
but three years old when he lost iiis father by 
death, and afterward he lemaincd in (iermany six 
years, gaining a good rudimentary education in 
the schools of that country. When he was nine 
years old Ins uncle, who was living in America, 
came to Germany on a visit, and on his return 
brought .Tacob with him to his home in \'incennes, 
Ind. There the lad received the ailvantages of an 
English education. His mother having come to 
America and married at Troy, III., he joined her 
here in 1870. After conducting his studies in the 
schools of Troy he entered the Christian brothers 
College at Si. Louis, and later completed the lius- 
iness course in the Jones Commercial College of 
St. Louis. 

Ills education comi)leted, Mr. Clepper com- 
menced to learn the trade of a cabinet-maker, but 
later abandoned that occupation and devoted his 
attention to carriage-making. I'pon his return 
to Troy he followed his trade until 1881, when 
he accepted the position of Secretary of the Troy 
Coal Mining Company. In 188() the enterprise 
became incorpor.'ilcd with the Consolidated Coal 
Company of St. Louis, with which Mr. Clepper 



remained in the capacity of clerk until January, 
189-1. Since learning his trade he has resided 
continuously in Troy with the excei)lion of two 
years spent m Texas. 

In April, 1878, Mr. Clepper was united in mar- 
riage with Caroline, daughter of (!eorge W. Miller, 
of Troy. They became the |)arenls of three daugh- 
ters and one son, named as follows: Clara, Fredda, 
F]va and George, all of whom reside with their 
father. The wife and mother passed away in 
June, 1888. The second marriage of Mr. Clepper, 
occurring in October, 1889, united him with Miss 
Emma, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Elgas) 
Gaeckler, all of whom were born in (Jermany. 
Mrs. Clepper emigrated to this ct)untry in child- 
hood and for some years resided in New York 
City. In religious belief she is a faithful Catholic. 
She has borne her husband three children, Eugene, 
Mamie and Waller. 

Socially, Mr. Clepper is a member t>f the Knights 
of Pythias, the Modern WtKxlmen of America and 
the American Legion of Honor. He was conlirmcil 
in the l.uthoran Church, but (ov some years has not 
been closely idenlilied with any religious organiza- 
tion. Politically a Democrat, he is an actives worker 
in this section. For a number of years he served as 
Town Trustee and has also lilled the position of 
Town Clerk. When Troy was oiganlzed undei the 
city charter he was elected the first Mayor, and is 
at present Alderman for his ward. 



=^^Sfil-^i"i^ll 



M ACRICE W. CLAKK w.asborn in Hornells- 
ville, N. v., the youngest of a family of 
six children born to David and Eliza 
(Morey) Clark, the former a native of 
Madison County, N. Y., the latter of Pennsylva- 
nia. David Clark was a cabinet-maker. In 1855 
he moved with his family to Alton, 111., and was 
engaged in business there until his death, in 18C2. 
In politics he was a Hepublican. .\fler the death 
of her husband the nn)ther reared her children and 
kept them together until they were all settled in 
life. She is still in tlie enjoyment of good health, 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



325 



;it the tidvanced ago of eighty j'ears, and makes her 
home with her chikheu. 

Mauiice W., of tliis sketch, spent his buyliood 
days at Alton in attendanee at the [lublic schools, 
where lie acquired a good sound English education. 
At an early age he left school and was engaged in 
the railroad service for about fifteen years, serving 
in various ca|)acities, and is now connected with 
the Union Casualty and Surety Company of St. 
Louis, as general agent. December 2.5, 1876. he 
married Miss Elora D., daughter of Joseph and 
Rachael Chapman, old and well known residents 
of Madison County, 111. They have had born to 
them two daughters and one son. In jjolitics our 
subject is a stanch Republican. He and Ins family- 
have a jjleasant home in EdwardsviUe, 111. 



ENRY M. CARTWKIOHT. who makes his 
home on ninety-live aciesof land formerly 
belonging, to his father in Wood River 
Township, is an enteri)rising and well-to- 
do farmer. He was born near Woodburu, this 
state, in 1858, and is the son of George and Char- 
ity Cartwright. Henry M. remained at home until 
reaching mature years, when he accompanied his 
parents on their removal to this county, and for 
two years conducted his studies in Shurtleff Col- 
lege. He later took a business course in tiie Gem 
City College, and in 1878 returned home, deciding 
to make farming his future vocation. 

About 1887 the original of this sketch formed 
a [lartnershii) with his brother, William II., and 
began cultivating land, operating in this manner 
for three years, when our subject disposed of his 
siiare to his brother. He then rented the farm 
owned by Maj. Franklin Moore, and for live years 
was engaged in its cultivation. At the expiration 
of that time he purchased ninety-seven acres of 
the old homestead, on which he is residing at tiie 
present time. 

Henry M. Cartwright was united in marriage 
in 188'J Willi Miss Addie, daughter of John and 
Elizabeth (Uarklcy) Hutledge, Mrs. Cartwright 



was born iu this count}', while her parents were 
natives of England. Their union has resulted in 
the birth of a daughter, Leonora. In politics Mr. 
Cartwright is a Republican. 

George Cartwright, the fatiier of our subject, 
was born in Yorkshire, England, January 11,1821. 
lie in turn was the son of William and Joanna 
(Smallwood) Cartwright, the former of whom was 
the son of Eenjamin and Anna (Richardson) 
Cartwright. The grandfather c)f our subject was 
a farmer in Yorkshire, and there reared a large 
family of children, namely: Marj', born in 1790; 
William, the father of our subject, born in 17'J1; 
Benjamin, in 1793; George, 1796; Anna, 1797; 
Thomas, 1799; John, 1802; Helen, 1805; Robert, 
1807, and Eliza, 1810. 

William Cartwright received a good education 
in England, and leaving his native county when 
a young man, went to the sea coast, where he was 
engaged as a farmer and butcher. He was very 
popular with all classes, and while he knew how 
to make money, he also knew how to spend it to 
have a good time. He was married in 1816 to Miss 
Smallwood, and to them were born the following 
children: Jane, William, George, John, Benjamin, 
Robert, Mary an<l Thomas (twins), and Anna. 

The father of our subject was a lad of seven 
years when he made his home with his grandiiai- 
ents, his duty being to take care of his grandfather, 
wIkj was totally blind. He afterward hired out to 
a dairyman and continued working for other peo- 
ple until coming to the United States in 1851. 
lie was married in England to Miss Charity Bar- 
chard, the date thereof being M;iy 21, 1845. Mrs. 
Cartwright was the daughter of Matthew and 
Diana Barchard, and by her union with (ieorge 
Cartwright became the mother of the following 
children: George and Ilenr}-, deceased; Dinah, 
Sarah, William, Henry M., Elizabeth, John and 
Blanche A. 

George Cartwright, after a journey of eight 
weeks, landed in New Orleans, whence he made 
his way up the Mississippi River to .St. Louis, from 
which city he came to Alton. He immediately 
went to work at whatever he could find to do, and 
after a twelvemonth returned to England for his 
fainily. IJc was three months on the water, the 



326 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



vessel being wrecked off the coast of Ireland. He 
paid for bis passage both ways by serviiiij on the 
vessel as cook. 

The father of our subject, after locating with his 
fainily in the New World, worked as a teamster in 
Alton for a time, and then rented land, which he 
operated with fair success for live ^cars. lie tiien 
purchased the place wliere he is now residing, 
whicli comprises over five hundred .icrcs of valua- 
ble land. It is lincly improved and is classed 
among the best estates in the county. In politics 
George Cartwriglit alw.ays casts a vote for Repub- 
lican candidates, lie is a very prominent resi- 
dent of his townslii)) ami aids In whatever way he 
can its upbuilding. 



1(g), ^iMik ,(g)j 



a APT. JONES WORDEN, a retired river cap- 
_ tain, residing in Upper Alton, was born in 
' Oneida County, N. Y., and is the son of 
Robert Wordcn, a native of Vermont. The latter 
was a carpenter and farmer Iiy occupation, and 
fought as a soldier during tiie War of 1812, in 
which conflict he liehl an ullicial position. He de- 
parted this life over twenty years ago, when past 
ninety years of age. His wife, INIrs. Luc}' (Randall) 
Worden, was born in New York Slate, and was 
the daughter of Matthew Randall, a Caiitain dur- 
ing the Revolutionary' War. Mrs. Wordcn de- 
parted this life in 1878, also over ninety years of 
age. 

The |)arental family included ten cliilihcn, only 
two of whom survive, .loiics, who was the young- 
est child, was born .January 21, 1817, and ac- 
companied his parents on their removal to Mich- 
igan in 1834. They located in Lenawee County, 
;in<l owned properly in Hudson Township. Young 
Worden soon afterward l^fl homo to make his own 
way in the world, and fountl his first eniploynient 
as wheelman on a lake steamer. Shortly afleiward 
he was i)romoled to be second mate and finally, 
when only nineteen years of age, was made master 



of the "Chesapeake," a fine low-pressure steamer 
plying between Buffalo and Detroit. 

In 1840 our subject came west again, lirsl locat- 
ing in Green Hay, Wis., and later moved to Galena, 
this state, where he shipped as mate on the "Argo" 
from that city to St. Paul, Minn. He was employed 
on different vessels .as mate and temporary cap- 
tain until 185C, when lie helped to organize the 
Minnesota Packet Company, of which he was made 
one of the Directors. That year he took full 
charge of the "Fannie Harris," and the next fall 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he built the "Key 
City" and the "llaska," two of the finest boats at 
that time on the river. He sailed the "Key City" 
during the years 18o7-(;(l, running from St. Louis 
to St. Paul. 

In 1861 Captain Worden took command of the 
"John D. Perry" for the Memphis Packet Com- 
pany', his route being from Memphis to the Mound 
City. About thai time he was required by the 
United Slates (Jovernmcnt to do duty for it, which 
was very pleasant news lo him, as he was a sirong 
Union man. When (icneral Lyon captured Camp 
Jackson, the same day on which our subject reached 
SI. Louis, he was advised by his friends lo pull 
down his colors, else he might get into trouble. 
He rei)lied that he was born under those colors, 
and that they should tl}' as long as he lived. 

Captain Worden remained with the Memphis 
Packet Com|)any until the summer of 18G.J. He 
remembers on one occasion, in 1863, when in the 
Government service, that the guerrillas fired upon 
his vessel from ambush at Riddle's Point. He 
sailed on to .St. Louis, got a permit from the Pro- 
vost-Marshal to get a gun and annnunilion, and 
after that when he was saluted in that manner, he 
returned the acknowledgment from his Henry rille. 

In 1865 our subject entered the Northern Line 
P.acket Company, running from St. Louis lo St. 
Paul. Afterward he was Captain of the "llawkeye 
State," and later of the "Lake Superior," which 
was Ihe finest boat that ever turned a wheel in the 
Mississippi River above St. Louis. He sailed her 
until the fall of 187.5, wlu'u lie retired, and is now 
Iiviiig|iu ease in this city. Captain Worden made 
the ipiickesl lri|) fiom St. Louis to St. I'aul ever 
made on the river, the time being two days, nine- 



PORTRAITQAND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



32^ 



teen hours anrt eighteen minutes, thus beating the 
record made by the "Phil Sheridan" in the Upper 
Mississippi River race in 1869. 

In 1849 Captain Worden and Miss Elizabeth 
Grover were united in raarri.age. The lady was 
born in Penns^'lvanla, and was the daughter of 
Gam.aliel Grover, at present residing in Rock Is- 
land at the iige of eighty-eight years. Captain and 
Mrs. Worden have a family of three children. 
Dr. Frank, a resident of North Alton; George, in 
St. Louis, and Grant, at home. ]\Irs. Worden is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Socially-, our 
subject is a Mason, witli which order he has been 
connected since 1856. He has also been a member 
of the Odd Fellows' fraternity since 1847, and at 
present belongs to the Encampment and Grand 
Lodge of Illinois. He is the oldest river captain 
now living, being past seventy-seven years of age, 
and is in the enjoyment of good health. He fre- 
quently takes a trip to St. Louis, and thus meets 
his many old-time friends on the river. He is a 
strong Republican in politics, having cast his first 
vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. 










=^EORGE W. WALLS, the proprietor of one 
hundred and ninety-seven acres of fine land 
in Missouri .and forty acres in Wood River 
Township, gives his attention to raising vegeta- 
bles, which he markets in Chicago. He also de- 
votes from thirty to fift3' acres to raising melons. 
He was born in Pike County, Ohio, M.ay 31, 1839, 
and is the son of Tiiomasand Elizabeth (Mathew) 
Walls, the former of whom was also a native of 
the Buckeje State, having been born near the 
town of Pike in 1798. The father w.as given a 
limited education, attending the district schools of 
Ohio, and aided in carrying on farm work. His 
parents were natives of Virginia, whence they re- 
moved in an early day to Ohio. 

Thomas Walls remained under the parental roof 
until attaining mature years, when he started out 
to make his own way in the world, having 



nothing but willing hands, a strong desire .and a 
determination to succeed. He worked hard, saved 
his earnings and was soon the owner of a tract of 
eighty acres, which he cultivated in a very profit- 
able manner. By his union with Miss Mathew 
he became the father of four children, one of 
whom died young. The other members of his 
household were Edward, now living in Pennsyl- 
vania; Elizabeth, deceased; and George W., the 
subject of this sketch. 

Young Walls w.as educated in the schools of 
Pike County, and when leaving home, at the age 
of twenty years, came to Illinois, stopping for a 
time at Bunker Hill, Macoupin County. His des- 
tination was Pike's Peak, but after reaching St. 
Joseph. Mo., he turned back, .and settling in Bun- 
ker Hill, worked at baling h.ay. The Civil War 
being in progress at this time he abandoned farm 
work and enlisted as a member of Company H, 
Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, in April, 1864. His 
company w.as then sent with the Fifteenth Army 
Corps, under Gen. John A. Logan, to guard Rome, 
Ga. Afterward the3' were sent to Allatoona Pass, 
and participated with Sherman in the famous 
march to the sea. He was also present during the 
conflict at Savannah, Columbus, S. C, and at 
Raleigh when Johnston surrendered. The war be- 
ing ended soon afterward, 3'oung Walls witnessed 
the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, M.ay 24, 
1865, after which he returned home, never having 
been wounded or taken prisoner during his entire 
service. 

Mr. Walls was married in 1867 to Miss Mary, 
daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Bride) Welch. Mrs. 
Walls was born in Monroe County, this state, 
while her parents were natives of Ireland. Soon 
after his marriage our subject located near his 
present place, which he rented for five years, and 
then bought forty acres not included in the one 
hundred and ninety-seven .acre tract. As before 
stated, he gives his attention almost entirely to 
market gardening, finding this a very profitable 
and pleasant business. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Walls were born six children, 
four living: Charles W., car inspector in St. Louis, 
Frank IL, a telegraph operator for the Bridge and 
Tunnel Railroad Association in the above city; 



:?•>« 



PORTRAIT AND RIOORAPinCAL RECORD 



l-illy M. anil 1m1w:ii(1. Daniol and William are 
ilccoasfd. 

Socially Mr. Walls is a pioniinciit Odd Fellow, 
belonging to Lodge No. IGfi at rpjior Alton. In 
politics, tliougli formerly a Democrat, he is now 
non-i)artisan. He has been Police Magistrate for 
East Alton since its incorporation and also ren- 
dered ellicient service as a meniher nf iln' \'illage 
Hoard. 

• ^# P • . 



'EOROK ,1. MILLER, the proprietor of one 
j,;^ hundred and forty acres of highly produc- 
tive land in Pin Oak 'rownshiii, is classed 
among the enterprising and progressive young 
.agriculturists of Madison County. He is a native 
of this section, and was horn May 20, 18r)8, to 
.lohn M. :nid Margaret (liuclit!!) Miller. The fa 
Iher was a native of Havaria, Clerniany, and ciossed 
the .\tlantic to the New World when a lad sixteen 
3'ears f)f age. lie eanie hither alone, hut two years 
later was joined by his parents. 

The paternal grandparents of our subject (irst 
located in St. Louis, and after a time came to this 
county and made their home with the father of our 
subject, with whom they remained until their de- 
cease, .lohn IM. Miller was twice married, and 
(icorge ,1. was the son of his union with Miss 
liiichta. That lady was also born in 15avaria, and 
was five years of age when her parents decided to 
try their fortunes in America. 'I'hey made then- 
way directly to this county, and here they died, as 
did al.so the mother of our subject. 

The parental family included seven children, of 
whom three sons and three daughters are yet liv- 
ing. George J. remained at home, where he w.as 
trained in agricultuie, and attended the com- 
mon school until such a time .as his services were 
required in aiding in the support of the family, 
lie was mairied February 2, 1883, to Miss Amelia 
Strocter, who was born near New Richmond, Wis., 
August 23, 18G2. Mrs. Miller was the daughter of 
.John and Kli/.abeth (.Miller) .Strocter. both natives 
of (iermany, the former having been born in Prus- 
sia in 1835, and the latter in Ilesse-D.irmstadt in 
1812. Mr. and Mrs. Strocter came l/> the Ignited 



States in 1852, and after m.aking their liuine in 
Wisconsin for live years, came to Illinois. In 
1882 they removed from this state to Missouri, 
and purchased a large farm near Kansas City, 
where they still live. Mr. Slroetcr's parents, Eman- 
uel and Maria (Kaestner) .Strocter, (anie to 
America in 18")!; the father w;is burn in 1799, 
an<l the mother in 1805. Grandmother Maria 
Strocter is still living, a resident of Wisconsin, and 
is in the enjoyment of fair health notwithstand- 
ing her advanced age. The maternal grandpar- 
ents of Mrs. Miller were Conrad and ,\nna (ICller) 
Mueller, natives of I Ies,sc- Darmstadt. The f<u- 
mer, now (ISIH) in his ninety-fourth year, is living 
in Wisconsin and is hale and hearty. 

To our subject and his estimable wife have been 
born the following children: E<lward .1., Lotta L, 
.lohn M., (Jeorge II. and Dora E. After his mar- 
riage, Mr. Miller moved to this present faiiii, which 
he rented for a number of years prior to purchas- 
ing it. It bears all the imiirovements which will 
be found on the estate of a lirst-cla.ss agriculturist, 
and its owner is managing alTairsin such fi manner 
as to reap the best results. 

The father of our subject w.as a Re|iublican in 
politics, but his son does not confine him.self to 
jjarty lines, voting for the man whom he considers 
will best (ill the position. The family are all mem- 
bers in good standing of the Reformed Church, 
and are cl.osscd among the best residents of this 
township. The mother of our subject departed 
this life February 25, 1893, when lifly-cight years 
of age, and the father died in .lanuary, 1888, when 
in his sixty-second year. They were old pioneers 
of this section, and were held in high estet^ni by 
all who had the pleasure of their acijuainlance. 



'j/_ ERMAN WIEGMANN. In all the broad 
jl expanse of the Praiiic Slate there is no 
county which affords sustenance to a 
)) greater number of agriculturists tli.an this, 
whose pro<luctive soil and advanced development 
make it pre-eminently the fanner's home. One of 
its comfortable and attractive abodes is that of the 
subject (t( this notice, who occupies a valii.ablc es- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



329 



tate, comprising two hundred and forty-five acres, 
lf)0.ate(l in Hamel Township. 

William and Louisa Wiegmann, the parents of 
our subject, were natives of Germany, wliere 
also Herman was born March 16, 1833. On the 
death of liis father and mother he set sail for the 
New World, embarking from Bremen in 1852, and 
landed in the city of New Orleans several weeks 
later. Thence our subject made his way up the 
Father of Waters to St. Charles, Mo., where for 
two years he was engaged in working out by the 
month. Then coming to this state and county, he 
was similarly emplo3'ed until his marriage, March 
.5, 1865, with Miss Caroline Lesemann. Mrs. Wieg- 
mann was born in this county December 4, 1846, 
and was the daughter of Conrad and Sophia Lese- 
mann, natives of Germanj', but who passed the de- 
clining 3cars of their lives in this county. 

Mrs. Caroline Wiegmann departed this life at 
the age of thirty-three years, leaving a family of 
eleven children, nine of whom survive, namelj': 
Louisa, Louis, Sophia, Mar}-, Henry, Ida, Anna, 
William and Herman. Our subject is truly a self- 
mado man. lie started in life with a limited amount 
of money and has developed and supplied Ins ex- 
cellent farm with all the improvements, making it 
one of the most desirable estates in the county. 
He now has the assistance of his sons in carrying 
on its operations. 

Mr. Wiegmann has always voted with and 
worked for the success of the Republican party 
since its organization. He is a devoted member of 
the ?]vangelical Chuich and is ever ready to aid 
others less fortunate than himself. An honest and 
upright citizen, he is highly respected by the entire 
community in which he has so long lived. 



•^ 



=^ 



y]i-^ AMPTON RIONT 
y of one hundred 
^ land in AVood Ri\ 



(^^ AMPTON RIONTGOMERY, the proprietor 
and seventy-five acres of 
ver Township, is one of the 
i(^j prosperous agriculturists of the section. He 
was born on the farm upon which he now lives 
November 10, 1833, to William and i^arah (Rat- 
ton) Montgomery. His paternal grandfather was 
born in Ireland, and emigrated to the United 



States in 1769, locating in Philadelphia. He 
served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and 
reared a family of four sons .and six daughters. 

The father of our subject was born November 
20, 1786, near Louisville, Ky., and in 1809 went 
afoot and alone to St. Louis, Mo. In 1814, how- 
ever, lie made a permanent location in this coun- 
ty, and was here married to Miss Sarah Ratton, 
whose l)irth occurred in South Carolina, whence 
she came to this state with her parents when a 
child. She was the daughter of Richard Ratton, 
one of the ver}' earliest pioneers in this portion of 
the state, and it was in her honor that Ratton 
Prairie was named. 

William Montgomery was a carpenter by trade, 
in which occupation he continued during his stay 
in the Mound City. After his advent into this 
county he entered land from the Government in 
Ft. Russell Township, which he cultivated, and 
later removed to Wood River Township, where 
he entered more land. On this property, in 1833, 
he erected a large brick residence, which is still 
standing and is occupied by the family of our 
subject. William Montgomery was very success- 
ful in his chosen vocation, and at the time of his 
decease owned several thousand acres of land. 

The parental family included twelve children, 
of whom we make the following mention: Nelson, 
who lives near Edwardsville, this state, was born 
August 1, 1815; John was born February 7, 1817, 
and died in .lune, 1894; William N., born January 
9, 1819, departed this life January 20, 1855; Nancy 
R., born January 18, 1821, is the wife of Thomas 
Barnsbackand lives near Edwardsville; Thomas J., 
born January 22, 1823, died soon after his return 
from the Mexican War in 1847; James, born Febru- 
ary 20, 1825, died in 1871 ; Pans, born February 24, 
1827, died in 1863; Matilda, born January 10, 1819, 
is also deceased; Am.anda F., born June 11, 1830, is 
the wife of Z. B. Job, of Alton; Hampton, our 
subject, was the next in order of birth; Anna, born 
February 20, 1837, is the wife of William Love- 
land, of Colorado; and Eliza Jane, born March 
31, 1840, is the wife of T. W. L. Belk, a f.mmer 
of this county. 

The original of this sketch w.as educated in the 
district and public schools of Alton, and after 



330 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



the (Icpcase of his father and niothor, wliicli op- 
cui-red in ISl'.l and ISlfi res poet ively, lie made 
his home with liis hrotiier .lames until reacliing 
his majorit}-. Then, receiving tliree luindred and 
twenty acres of land as ids portion of liis fatlier's 
estate, lie turned his attention to farm pursuits, 
which he li.as made his vocation in life. 

Mr. Alontf;omerv was married in ISfi."? to Miss 
Martha \'., daughter of .lohii Green. She was 
born in Arkansas and came with her parents to 
this count3' when younjj. Their union has been 
blessed by the birth of six ehildron, of whom Jes- 
sie is the wife of William Clark; KlIU; M. married 
John Ktts and lives in St. Lo\iis; and William 
married Miss Susan Scott and lives at home. The 
others are deceased. Mrs. Montgomery died in 
1871, and the care of rearing the children thus 
fell to our subject, lie is a Democrat in politics. 



Gr 



^T 






J'OllN LKDKR, who for the p.ist fourteen 
years has been engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, has a valuable estate located 
on section l.St. Jacob Township, lie is a 
native of this county and was bin-ii May lil, IHa.S, 
to Jacob Leder, who in turn was a native of the 
canton of Argua, Swilzeiland. The father made 
the journey across the Atlantic when a lad of 
twelve years in company with his parents. Tliis 
w.as in 18.S(),and his father, whose name was John 
Leder, spent one year in St. Louis, Mo., after which 
he came to this county and engaged in fanning in 
St. Jacob Township. Later the father of our sub- 
ject, together with his fatliei-, was foi- seven years 
interested in the Ilerm.ann Flouring Mill at Iligli- 
land, owned by Henry Hermann, who had married 
a sister of .Jacob Leder. 

After spending seven j'ears in the mill the fa- 
ther of our sid)ject returned to the fai-m, where 
his dece.a.se occurred February 1"2, IH".I2. He was 
a very well-to-do farmer' and left to his family a 
large and valuable estate. His wife, whose maiden 



name was Mary Girkemeyer, w.asborn in Germ.any, 
and is still living, residing on the home pl.ace. 

Our sul)ject was the eldest of a family of three 
children. Jacob resides with his mother, and 
Louise is the wife of Louis Marxer, a farmer of this 
township. John grew to manhood in this county, 
and completed liis education at Oaktield, Mo., and 
at the Central Wesleyan College at Warrenton, 
Mo. He was afterward variously employed, but 
linding farming most to his taste, located upon 
his line estate and for the ])ast fourteen years has 
been engaged in stock-raising. He has many val- 
uable blooded animals on his farm, and in connec- 
tion with this branch of business devotes consid- 
erable attention to dairying. His place includes 
two hundred broad and well cultivated acres, well 
improved and stocked. 

The original of this sketch was married in 18711 
to, Miss Kate Bargetze, who was born in Nashville, 
Tenn., where hei father. Christian Bargetze, was a 
prominent dairyman. Being a strong rnioii man 
he w.as compelled to leave the state during the late 
war and lo.st all his property. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Leder have been born live children, Louisa, Kiiima. 
Jennie. Edna and Flora. 

In ])olitics our subject is a Deiiuicrat. but in no 
sense of the word can he be coiisiderc<l an ollicc- 
seeker. as his extensive interests consume too nnuli 
of his time and he perfers to let tho.se hold ollice 
who are more willing to do so. 



6 ' 



=3. 



^H^ 



(^ 



l^~ 




UGUSTUS \V. BROWN, who occupies 
a comfortable residence on section 27, 
Colliiisville Township, Madison County, 
is retircMl from active business alTaiis and 
is passing the Iwiliglitof his honorable life iniii'lly 
al home surrounded by the comforl.s which he li.as 
acciiinulaled in his years of toil. Through his 
long canu'r lie has thrown into his labors individ- 
ual honesty and integrity, (jiialities which ennoble 
every man, whether rich or poor. 

Our subject was born in Colunibiis, Ohio, May 
27, 1H17. and is the (Mdest son of Henry and Mary 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD. 



331 



(Broderick) Brown. The former was born in Bal- 
timore, Mr)., October 27, ITHlt, and removed to 
the Biiel<eye State when a yonn" man. There lie 
engage<l in mercantile puisuits and was a jiromi- 
nent merchant of Columbus for many years. 
In 1820 he was engaged in the hotel business in 
the latter city, and entertained General LaFay- 
ette, of Revolutionary fame, in 1824, and was one 
of the committee to extend to him an invitation 
to a ball ill his dining room. It is quite a coinci- 
dence that the fathers of our subject and his wife 
were both honored by a visit from General LaFay- 
etto, notwithstanding they were five hundred miles 
apart. The father was public-spirited, taking an ac- 
tive part in all measures political, and w.as a mem- 
ber of the ()hio Senate in 1825, and had served but 
six days when elected State Treasurer, in which 
odiee he served twelve years. His was an honorable 
life, and by his upright course he won the respect of 
every one who knew him. Henry Brown departed 
this life ill 1863, and was preceded to the better 
land In' his wife, who died many years prior to that 
time. 

Augustus W., of this sketch, attended the com- 
mon schools of Ohio until reaching his fourteenth 
j'ear, when he entered the college at Hanover, 
Ind., where he prosecuted his studies for three 
years. At the end of that time he became a student 
in the college at Athens, Ohio, and two years later, 
after leaving school, entered his father's store as a 
clerk. When attaining ills majority he engaged in 
mercantile pursuits on his own account and con- 
tinued thus until 1861, when he came to Illinois. 
Two 3'ears previous to engaging in business for 
himself he superintended the operations of his fa- 
ther's farm, the latter being an invalid and unable 
to manage the estate himself. 

Upon coming to this state our subject located 
in Collinsville, where for several 3'ears he was en- 
gaged as agent for Mrs. Guy Morrison and at- 
tended to her immense business, making loans, col- 
lecting, etc. At the same time he looked after his 
own interests, having several farms in this county, 
which he operated until 1884, hut since that time, 
owing to ill health, he has led a retired life. 

Augustus W. Brown w.as married .hily 3, 1844, 
to Miss Rebecca J., daughter of William and Kliza 



S. Morrison. Her father was perhaps one of the 
most prominent men in the west and owned at one 
time over one hundred thousand .acres of land in 
Illinois. Her mother was a daughter of Gen. Daniel 
Bissel, of Connecticut; he was ordered to and stJi- 
tioned at St. I.ouis, Mo. To Mr. .and Mrs. Brown 
were born three children, one of whom is de- 
ceased. William II. married Miss Carrie Grey, of 
this county, where he makes his home; and Mary 
A., who is the wife of William Garesche, is resid- 
ing in St. Louis. 

Religiously Mr. Brown is a member of the Epis- 
copal Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He 
was appointed Revenue Collector by President 
Johnson and served his distiict in that capacity 
until 1869. 

' ^ )^ P • . 



<| IfelLLIAM FRIEDHOFF owns and operates 
\gJ/i eighty acres of land on section 8, Pin Oak 
W^ Township, Madison County, where he is 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising. His 
life has been a busy one, and the result of his 
labors is seen in his present ijossessions. He takes 
a just pride in having one of the best cultivated 
farms in the neighborhood. The improvements 
upon his place are those found on a model farm, 
and stand .as monuments to his enterprise. 

Mr. Friedhoff w.as born in Ohiinghousen, Ger- 
many, August 25, 1835. His parents were natives 
of Germany, and both died when our subject was 
a small child. He w.as reared by a relative on a 
farm and came to the United States when about 
twenty years of age, sailing from Bremen. After 
an uneventful voyage of six or seven weeks, 
young William landed in New Orleans, whence 
he immediatelj' went to St. Louis, making his 
home there for two years. In 18G3 he came to 
this county and rented land. He was married to 
Miss Elizabeth Ilnnshun, who was born in the Old 
Country, and who was a daughter of William and 
Eva Hunshun. Three children were born of this 
union, and the mother passed from life when 
thirty-four years of age, on the place where our 
subject now makes his home. The second wife of 



332 



PORTRAIT AND HIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



our siiliject was Miss Kredrok.'i Slmtl Icr, luid slic 
also (lied wlioii in licr lliiitv-lift.li yciir. Mr. Fncil- 
lioff w!is .1 third lime imiled in ni!irri!if,'o, in 1M77, 
his coinpnnion on this occasion being known .as 
Miss M;iiv Peters. Of tliis marriage two I'liiidren 
were horn, Lydia and Minnit*. The cliildren wiio 
came to bless the (irsl union of our subject are as 
follows: Annie, Amelia and William. 

After his marriage, the original of this sketch 
purcliiised a line fariTi of eighty acres, an<l at once 
set about its cultivation. He is a self-made man 
in the strictest sense of the term, and liy his push, 
pluck and peiseverance has made foi himself an 
honest name and an unimpeachable clinnicter, and 
h.as reason to be proud on account of the example 
he presents of industrj', morality and good citizen- 
shi|). 

The FricdhofT family arc members in good 
standing of the German Methodist Kpiseopal 
Church at ICdwardsville, and politically the father 
is a stanch supporter of the princi])le.s of the He- 
publican party, lie takes an active interest in 
everything that pertains to the welfare of the 
county, and in the hisl(jry of this community he 
well deserves representation. 

Wr^ILLIAM ARM.STRONO. In the city of 
Alton, where he now resides, this gentle- 
man was born April G, 1843, being a son 
of Oeorge and Catherine (Dawson) Armstrong. 
His father w.as a native of Leeds, Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, an<l emigrated to the United States early in 
the MOs, settling in Philadelphia. There he met 
and married Mi.ss Dawson, a native of New Jersey. 
His trade was that of a finisher C)f cloth, but after 
coming to Alton, in the latter part of the '80s, he 
established and carried on an inn. 

After coming to this country, Mr. Armstrong 
became imbued with the ])rinciplos of the Whig 
parly, and upon the organization of the Repub- 
lican party, he became an advocate of its princi- 
ples. He w.os a strong anti-slavery man, and a 
warm friend of Lovejoy, who met his untimely 
death at the hands of the slave power. Hoth 
he and his wife were members of the Episcopal 
Church, lie dicil in August, IHCif), and about 



three years later, .\pril 2.'?, 18G8, his wife pa.ssed 
away. 

Our subject was one of six children that attained 
mature years: Hannah, wife of Harrison Johnson, 
of Alton; Elizabeth, the widow of Columbus .S)ulc; 
Thomas, deceased; William, of this sketch; .lohn, 
whose home is in Alton; and Catherine, a member 
of the f.aculty of MonticelloSeminary.and a teacher 
of music in that institution. The early life of our 
subject was spent chielly .at home, where he secured 
a comn)on-.school education. Later he followed the 
occupation of a farmer for several years, and sub- 
se(|uently was engaged in the manufacture of lime. 
He also carried on a cooperage business, and for 
about twenty years was a dealei' in ice. In his 
store at No. 107 .Second Street, he carries a full 
line of lime, cements, wall plaslci' and cooperage 
slock. 

In the suburbs of .Mlon, Mr. Armstrong has a 
model farm, where he makes his home, ami on 
which he cultivates choice fruits and vegetables. 
His family consists of his wife, whom he married 
in Springlield in 1HC7, and their three children, 
William D., May Urania and Paul I). Mrs. Arm- 
strong was Miss Mary E., daughter of Thomas and 
Catherine Parker, natives of Kentucky, and later 
residents of Alton. In religious belief, Mv. and 
Mrs. Armstrong are identified with the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Politically a Republican, our subject has served 
four terms as Alderman, and w.as one of the origi- 
nal promoters of the paving of streets, l)eing a 
member of the committee appointed for that work. 
As a member of the Alton Hoard of Trade, he was 
largely instrumental in having the Alton clay u>ed 
for paving brick. He was one of the founders of 
Piasa Assembly, and has been a Director since its 
inception, about eight years ago. It is situated 
about thirteen miles above Alton, on the banks of 
the Mississippi River. Its jiurposesare educational 
and literary, and it is conducted on the s.anie plan 
as the Chautauqua Assembly. The grounds com- 
prise three hundred and ten acres of ground with 
suitable buildings. 

.Some years ago, Mr. Armstrong visited Europe, 
and returned home a more ardent admirer of Al- 
ton and the United .States than ever before. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



333 



is a Director in the building and loan association, 
and a member of the Humane Society. A public- 
spirited citizen, INIr. Armstrong is ever interested 
in all enterprises having for their object the growth 
and development of Alton. lie takes a deep in- 
terest in the affairs of (Jovernment, and is well 
posted on all political tojiies. A man of liroad 
knowledge, he is in frequent demand as a public 
speaker, and his addresses are replete with wit, 
wisdom and important truths. One of his most 
noted speeches was that delivered at the annual 
memorial service at the grave of the lamented 
Lovejoy, in .Tune, 18!t3. This address, which we 
give below, will be of interest to eveiy citizen of 
the county. 

"Klijah Parish Lovejoy was horn in the state of 
Maine, November 9,1802. In early manhood he 
was ordained a minister of the (iospel, moved west 
and settle<l in St. Louis, where he edited the St. 
Louis Observer, an Abolition or Free-soil paper. 
Owing to persecution he fled from a state cursed 
by that sin of all sins, human slaveiy, and came to 
this city, where he established a paper. 

"( )n the 7tli of November, 1837, he was murdered 
by a mob, largely- composed of rulHans from the 
bordering state of Missouri. He w.as killed for 
his Kree-soil sentiments in behalf of the opiiressed 
colored people, who at that time were in bondage. 
For 3'eais his grave was unmarked and almost un- 
known save to a few true friends, auKtng them Mr. 
Thomas Dimmock, formerly of this cit}', but now re- 
siding in St. Louis, who at his own expense erected 
this memorial scroll to mark the resting place of 
this martyr to the cause of freedom, in order that 
friends who admired the noble character of Love- 
joy might visit his tomb. 

"As the blood of the mart3rs h.as been the seed 
of the church, so the blood of this martj'r to the 
cause of free speech and a free press has been the 
seed of liberty; for under the inspiration of the 
death of Lovejoy, millions of men and women all 
over the land were aroused from their lethargy, and 
within the life of one generation, human slavery 
w.as abolished and no longer stains the fair name 
of this great nation. 

"To Abraham Lincoln (a lit name to be associ- 
ated with that of Lovejoy) lielongs the honor of 



writing the proclamation which struck thesliackles 
from four million of slaves. 

"It is the duty of the citizens to tlius honor the 
name of Lovejoy. Everj' mother in the land 
should instill into the bosoms of her children love 
for these great men. The names of Lovejoy and 
Lincoln should be enshrineil in the hearts of all 
who love liberty. This, the great state of Illinois, 
contains no greater treasures than the sacred dust 
of both Lovejoy and Lincoln. Here to-d.ay, after 
the lapse of more than half a century, we are gath- 
ered to pay honor to the memory of one who died 
for the cause of liberty' .and humanity. In that 
long list of names of self-sacrificing men who have 
given their lives for the bettering of thecfnidition 
of the oppressed, there is not one who is more 
worthy of our esteem. The Divine Man, whospake 
as never man spake, said, 'Greater love hath no 
man than this, that a man laj' down his life for his 
friends.' 

"A multitude thronged these grounds on Decor- 
ation Day to honor the memory of the brave men 
who laid down their lives for liljcrtyand country. 
What Lovejoy tried to accomplish ]>y the influ- 
ence of that great civilizer, the press, these patrifds 
accomplished by the sword. The blood of the 
martyrs has not been spilled in vain. But for 
these noble cxami)les of self-sacrilicc, men to-day 
would be barbarians, and civil government would 
be unknown. It behooves us to treasure up the 
memory of these men that were heroes in the 
strife. Our liberties are safe so long as we are in- 
spired by the lives of such men. 

"It is fitting that one so great in that which 
makes greatness should find burial ,at this lovely 
spot, on an elevation overlooking that majestic 
river that flows on to the gulf. This stream, that 
is of great national importance, is emblematic of 
the principles which Lovejoy gave his life to ad- 
vance. Not for one state, but for a nation and 
more than a nation, for the world. Our beautiful 
city, not like Rome, built on seven hills, but many 
times seven, honors herself in honoring Lovejoy. 
Our children's children for generations to come 
will revere his name. While men of wealth have 
erected proud monuments of granite to commem- 
orate their resting places and perpetuate their 



334 



roUTRMT A NO lU(H^K.\rilICAI. RKCdRD. 



meinorv. In' li!».< ii iiiorc I'lulmimr nioimiiu'iit : liis 
iiaiiio is oiislirincil iunonjj; tlio iniinnrt.'ils. 

"Ami now tlio iiii|it>i-t;iiit lossuii wo in:iy lonin lioro 
in this silont city of tlio dead is that our i-ivii iil)- 
ortv, likt' our ivliijiims lilx-rty, I'ost sonu'lliiui;; ami 
wp arc 1,'irally iiKlolited (o tlio men wlio dared Ui 
advoeatc the riifht tlioutrh it cost them their lives. 
Let us see to it that we stand true to tlie jjreat 
Masjua (."harla of our Ivepulijie when it says that 
all inon aiv erentcd equal; that they are endowed 
hv their Creator witli eertain inalieiiahle riujiits; 
that amony: tiiese are life, liberty and the pursuit 
of happiness. For these principles are founded on 
eternal jusliiv, and under the shelterinu folil of 
that world-honored llag our free liovernment will 
exist to bless mankind tlirouijh the centuries to 
come. 

"And now in eoni'lusiou let lue ([uotesome lines 
from that divinely inspired friend of the op- 
pressed. .1. t;. Whiltier: 

"'I!y all for which the martyrs bore 

Their ni;ony and shame; 
l>y all the warniuL; words of truth 

With which the prophet-s came; 
Ity the future which awaits us, 

By all the hopes which cjust 
Their faint and tremblini; lieams acrtvss 

The blackness of the past; 
And by the blessed thou<;ht of Mini 

Who forcarthV freciloin died, 
( t. ni\ peoplel (>, my brolhersi 

Let us choose the ritjhtoous side.' " 






IMIIIK Lons FlA)SS.oneof the leading 
hanlware merchantxS of Alton, w.as born 
1*1 November lit, ISti.'i. in the city wliere he 
now resides. He is tlie son of Herman 
.loseph l'"loss, who was born in AVormerstorf, near 
lliiun. tiermany, August 24. L'<2!>. and in that 
cimntry b«H'ame acquainted with Catherina Pitch, 
who w.as born at t\>li>gne.on the Khine, Maix-h l.'l. 
18.S1. IU>th emigrated to the Inited Stales, and 




in St. Louis were united in marriage November 
17. ISiUi. 

In the schools of I'laun and ColoLjne, Herman .1. 
Floss received an excelleni education, ami ••ifler 
coming to the Inilcd Slates, in IS.')".!, engaged as a 
teacher in the (icrman Catholic School of SI. 
Louis, and also was organist of that church. In 
.Vpril, IH(!K he came to Alton and became Icachcr 
and organist for Si. Mary's Church, remaining in 
that position fi>r two yeai-s. Later he engaged in 
teaching music. Fpon resigning his position as 
organist of St. Mary's Church he accepted a simi- 
lar position at the Cathedral, where he remained 
until I,S7L He continued to leach vocal ami in- 
strumental music until his death, which occurred 
January 21, 188".). In his special line he was ai\ 
artist of note and his ability as a musician was 
widely recognized. Fnder his instruction were 
educated many pupils who subseipienlly bivame 
teachers of the art. In religious belief he was a 
Catholic. His wife, who was a Lutheran in relig- 
ious faith, died September 1, 1884, 

Four I'hildren ct^nprise the parental family, 
namely: Kdward F., who died in childhood: Fmma 
II,, who married Alex C, Kadecke and <lied March 
28, 18!t;?, leaving one son. Roland R.; .Vrthur 
Louis; and Florence, who was born February 7, 
18G0, and is now living in Alton. In the jniblic 
schools of Alton our subject received his primary 
edut'ation. after which lie was a student in Bryant 
it Stratton's Commercial College at .St. Louis. In 
ISS.*) his father bought a third interest in the 
II. K. .lohnston Ilardwaiv Comi>any for him. he 
having lieen a clerk in that establishment for the 
live years previous. In 1887 he sold his interest 
and journeyed westward, settling in Pittsburg. 
Kan., where he organized the Pitt^sburg Hardware 
Company. After a year in that place he sold out 
and traveled for the ensuing year in the interest* 
of the A. F. .Shapleigh Hardware Company of Si. 
I-ouis. 

On the 1st of Octolwr, 188'.t, Mr. Floss opene<l a 
hartlwai-e store at No. 127 >Yest Third Street, 
Alton, where he carries a general line of hardware, 
stoves and tinware. He has built up a large and 
prolitable trade, which is constantly increasing. 
In this city, August 22, 188;i. he married Miss 



PORTRAIT AND DlOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



33.0 



Julia, a daughter of Gudio Rautenberg, of Syra- 
cuse, N. Y. The three children born of this union 
are, Hilda Matilda, born November 10, 1890; 
Marie Scliiess, Se|)teiiiber 3, 1892; and Emil (iue- 
lich, March 10, 1894. 

The famll}' residence is the old Floss homestead, 
occiii)yiiig a beautiful location overlooking the 
Mississipi)i River. Mrs. Floss is a devoted mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church and a lady of ami.able 
disposition, who has a host of friends among the 
people of Alton. I'olitically our subject is a Re- 
publican. Socially he is a member of Krvin Lodge 
No. 437, A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias, 
belonging to Fluerdey Lodge No. 68, also the 
Western Star No. I, L O. O. F. He is recognized 
as one of the rising young business men of Alton 
and is held in high esteem b}- his fellow-townsmen. 



♦^^^f^.^tl^l^^ 



r,ILLL\M KLAI'SING, the owner and occu- 
pant of a tine farm on section 25, Pin 
Oak Township, is numbered among the 
|)rogressive and influential farmers of Madison 
County. His estate comprises sixty fertile acres, 
bearing good improvements, and is devoted to 
the pur|)Oses of general farming. A man of marked 
enterprise and financial ability, in his business and 
social relations his energetic character and practi- 
cal sagacity find ample field for exercise. 

Our subject was a son of Christ Klausing, and 
was a native of Hanover, Germany, born .January 
31, 1844. The father came to the L'nited States 
in 1853 on the sailing-vessel "Lentena," landing in 
New Orleans after an uneventful voyage of several 
weeks. The family made their home in St. Ij<juis 
for two years, and there the father died in 1855, 
when fifty-three or fifty-four years old. Then our 
subject and his two brothers came to this county 
and engaged in farm pursuits, William being thus 
engaged until reaching his twentieth year, at which 
time he began U> work out for other people by the 
monlli. 

February 24, 18(18. Mr. Klausing and Miss Mary 




Languish, who was born in Prussia, Germany, 
were united in marriage. Mrs. Klausing is a daugh- 
ter of Charles and Willielniena I^angiiisli, who were 
natives of the same province as was their daughter, 
and there spent the remainder of their lives. When 
the wife of our subject was but eighteen years of 
age, she came to the L'nited States and located in 
Troy, this county, and it was here that she met and 
married Mr. Klausing. To this couple was born 
a family of six children, three of whom are de- 
ceased. They are as follows: Lizzie, who is married 
and has f»iie child, F^sther; Hannah, Minnie, Lydia, 
Edward and Theodore. 

After his marriage our subject rented land for 
a few 3'ears. or until enabled to purchase property of 
his own, at which time he bought sixty acres of the 
land which he had been cultivating, and the neat 
and thrifty appearance indicates the enterprise 
and jjublic spirit of the owner. With his family Mr. 
Klausing is a member of the Lutheran Church at 
Troy. Our subject has ever borne his share in the 
ujtbuilding and development of the county, and 
is ever found in the front rank of those enter- 
prises calculated to promote the general welfare. 
His many excellencies of character have won him 
high regard, and it is with pleasure that we present 
to our readers this record of his life. 



!^^ 



EV. FATHER CLEMENT .lOSEPH 
MECKEL, pastor of St. Paul's Catholic 
Church of Highland, was born in Muenster, 
( Westphalia, Germany, Novemljer 10, 1843, 
being a son of F'rank Meckel, who was a store- 
keeper in his native land. The wife and mother 
died when our subject was a lad of eight years, 
after which, the home being broken up, the St. 
Vincent's Society found a good place for him with 
friends in the countiy. He attended the district 
schools and remained in F'uechtorf until reaching 
his fifteenth year. 

F^ven in early boyhood days it had tK?en the 
earnest desire of our subject to Ix-come a |)ricst, 
but it seemed an almost forlorn hope, without 




.'Hi 



roKTUAlT AND nKMIRAl'IIICAL RKCORI). 



iiicaiis III jiilliiciil l.'il ri'ii-iiils. Ili'lu'vliii;, liuwi'v*'!', 
Hull wliiTi- lliere is ii will llicri! is a wiiy, I'c iimdu 
known his dusircs Ui his spirittiiil snpci'iois tit 
Miicnslcr, who ofTurcil him but lillle eiic<>uraj;c- 
nicnl 111 llmt limp. A school was soon iifliTwaid 
4>|ii'n('() al Kuvelar for llic |)iirposu of lilting pupils 
for Icai-licrs, and he was allowed to enter this 
si'hool. At the expirulion of a y^'ar he was re- 
(pii'sled to make a promise to remain as teacher, 
with certain olilijj;ations. after he should have con- 
cluded Ihe course of study, lie, of course, declined 
to do this, stating to the head of the colleijc that 
it was not only his desire but his delermination to 
lieconic a priest. The superior tried to dissuade 
him from the attempt, as did also the St. ^'incent's 
Society, but their elTorls were in vain, and al- 
though they had his best interests at heart, Hie siib- 
seiiiient years have proved the wisdom of his 
choice. 

Hcturninfj to Muensler, our subject bejjan his 
studies witii this object in view, in the meantime 
siipportinj; liiinsclf by actin<; as private tutor to 
children, 'i'liis he continued for a year, and his 
advancement was so rapid that at the end of that 
time he entered the tifth class of the jfymnasiiim 
at Muensler, where he remained for two and one- 
half years. His stiuhcs at the fjymnasium were 
then tempiuaiily abandoned c>n account of lack of 
money. For the ensuing two and a-half years lie 
continued his private studies, supporting liimself 
by giving instruction to children and colU'ge boys. 
He then applied for a teslimonial of maturity, siib- 
iniltiiig himself to a rigorous examination, which 
when received enabled him to become a student 
ol' the academy at Miienster. 

iMitcring the acjulcmy at IMueiislcr, our subject 
beg.'in his philusophicid and theological studies. 
Ill |Mt;(; he entered the American College al that 
place, where he completed his studies May 8, IHOD, 
and was ordained to the priesthood. Soon after 
this he was "adopted"' into the diocese of Alton, 
and after a short time spent in vacation with 
friends and relatives left his native land and 
reached the American shore on the 2d of October. 
Landing in the rnited States he came direct to 
lllinuis and was appointed rector of the church al 
Oliiey. |)uriiig his live years" residence in that 



place, he h;id charge of the church there, also the 
missions al .Stniigtown, St. Weudel, liridgepoit, 
Flora, Newton, Ml. C'armel and Si. Mary 's, making 
the rounds of the diflerenl places on horseback. 
During that period he built a cliuich at Itridgeport 
and one at St. Weiidel; al the present time nearly 
all of llic places have resident priests. 

The work was so arduous that Father McckeTs 
health was seriously impaired, and the liisliop 
found it necessary to give him a place where there 
was less ex|)Osure and out door occupation. .Ac- 
cordingly he was sent to I.ilchlield, III. .\ftcr a 
stay there of little more than a year he was ap- 
pointed I'resideiit of a college in Htinia, a small 
town 111 Randolph t'ounty, and held this )Kisition 
until the liishop thought it advisabli: to close the 
college on account of its unfavorable situation and 
great distance from the larger cities. June I, 1X70, 
Father Meckel was appointed rector of St. I'uul's 
Church in Highland, where he has since met willi 
Haltering success. At the lime he took charge of 
affairs here a church building had been erected, 
but there was still an abuiidaiui' uf work to be 
done. Fndcr his supervision the line parsonage 
was erected, the new tower clock added to the edi- 
fice and other improvements provided for. 

In I87H Father Meckel built St. .lo.seplTs Ilos|>i- 
tal al Highland, which was partially destroyed by 
fire .laiiuary 24, 18i(2. It has since been rebuilt, 
and now accommodates fifty patients. The old 
frame church edifice was lilted up as a hall for cn- 
tcrlainmcnts, and in the spring tif 18!)4 was con- 
siderably enlarged. The first gathering lielil in 
it since it was altered was the jubilee luld in 
lu)nor of the Iwenly-liflh aniii vi'is.nry of l'"alher 
MeckcTs ordination .as a priest. While he was 
there engaged in fostering the interesUi of the 
Highland Cluiicli, he diil iiul lose sight of the 
adjoining Uiwns. For a nuiiiher of years he im- 
parled catechetical iiistructit>ns to the children in 
rierron, and gave lectures at the .same place to 
the grown peo|ile, preparing in this w.ay for the 
formation of a new congregation. .Si. Jacob has 
also a Catholic Church now, which was dedicated 
on the 2.^)th of July, 18!»1. 

In 1888 Father Meckel iiiadi' an extensive ti>ur 
of IlieOhl World in company with Father Cluse, 



POKTRAir AND IJKKiRAPJIlCAJ. UKCORO. 



337 



priest of the diocese of Belleville. He traveled 
tbrougli Geiriiaiiy, Swil/.t'ihiiiil, Kraiicc, Italy, I'.-il- 
estiiic aiMl KirypL, visitiiii; all the iiriiicipa! points 
of interest. l'(! leturiKMJ to Ins work greatly lieii- 
elited in health and with an increased store of 
kiiowlcidtfe. 



♦♦^^1 



\lP?4\l':V. L()L;IS W. DOKNSKIF, pastor of St. 

IU<( I'aul's i>iitheran C'linreh at Troy, was 
ili\\\ born in Mascoiitah, 111., .July .'i 1 , IS.W, 
'^gj/beinjf the eldest cliikl of .loliii Louis and 
Christina (Wirth) Dornseif. llis father was horn 
in llesse-Darnistadt, (jerniany, and here followed 
the profession of a teacher. JSonie time durinjj 
the 'lOs he crossed the Atlantic to the United 
States and settled in St. Louis. His death occurred 
in 1H8(). His good wife, who was born near Wies- 
baden (ierinany, is still living (1894), and makes 
her houK^ with her son. 

The subject of this sketch received his primary 
education in the parochial school connected with 
the Trinity Lutheran Church of St. Louis. After 
his conlirniatioii at the ago of fourteen, he was 
sent t(j Kt. Wayne, Ind., wheie he took a. seven 
years' course in the classics. Later he attended the 
Concordia Theological Seminar^', at St. Louis. 
Upon c(jMipletiiig his studies, he was ordained to 
the ministry of the Lutheran Church, and ac- 
cepted the pastorate of the church at Crete, Neb., 
where he remained for two years. He was then 
appointed to the charge at Dubuque, Iowa, where 
he silent the two years ensuing. On account of 
failing health he deemed it advisable to seek a 
more congenial climate, and accordingly accepted 
a call to work In the home mission held at Den- 
ver, Colo. After live years spent in that city, he 
returned further east with health greatly bene- 
lited by liis sojourn in the west. 

Wliile serving as pastor of the church at lioone, 
Iowa, Mr. Dornseif's health again entirely failed 
as the result of his arduous labors there. For one 
year he was obliged to retire from the pulpit and 



devote his attention to the restoration of his 
health. These niontiis were spent in St. Louis, 
and in SeptemluM', l«'.)2, he was given the charge 
at Troy which he still holds. The salubrious clim- 
ate of southern Illinois he has found conducive to 
health, and fortunately once more enjoys freedom 
from illness. 

In 1879 Hev. Mr. Dornseif was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Clara A. Kunz, wlio was born in 
Ft. Wayne, Jnd., being a daughter of George .J. 
and Caroline Kunz, natives of Germany. Eight 
children have blessed this union, viz.: Hermann, 
Ottillia, Waller, Edwin, L^dia and Tabear (twins), 
Louis and Theophilus. All are at home except 
Hermann, who is a student in c<41ege pre|iaring 
for the ministry. 

As a minister of the (iospel, Mr. Dornseif com- 
bines extensive knowledge with a fair share of 
pulpit eloiiuencc. ]n all his jKistorates his minis- 
trations have given great satisfaction, and his 
earnest labors have been followed with excellent 
results. A man of positive convictions, Ik; is 
frank in the avowal of his opinions and never 
hesitates to attack that which he looks upon as an 
evil, no matter how strongly it may be intrenched 
in popular favor. 



^^>-^^<m^ 



f,EORGE M. McCOUMlCK, who resides on 
,^— , section 20, (Jollinsville Township, Madison 
-^Jl^ County, where he is successfully engaged 
in general fanning, is one of tlie honored veterans 
of the late war who wore the blue in defense of 
his country. He proved a valiant soldier, faith- 
fully foll<;wing the Old Flag for three and a-half 
years. He now manifests the same loyalty to his 
duties of citizenshij), and as one of the leading 
residents of this community we present him to 
our readers. 

Mr. McCormick was born in Clermont County, 
Ohio, in November, 1841, and is the eldest child 
of Francis A. and Martha A. (Coombs) McCor- 
mick. His parents were also natives of the liuck- 
cye State, and there resided until 1856, when they 



338 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



emigrated t<i MjkIIsou County, 111. Six inuiillis 
later, liowever, tliey returned to Oliio. In IS()3 
they again came to Madison County, where they 
lived until 1866, after which they made their home 
in their native state until called to their final rest. 

Until eighteen yeai-s of age Ccorge McCorniick 
attended the public schools of Rlilford, Ohio, and 
thus aequu-ed a good practical education. August 
I'J, 1861, prompted h^' iialriolic impulses, he 
responded to tiie country's call for troops, en- 
listing in Company C, Second Ohio Infantry. He 
was mustered in at Camp Dennison, and served 
for three j'ears and a-half, being engaged in active 
duty during a greater part of that time. At the 
battle of Chickamauga he was knocked senseless 
by a shell and was left on the battlefield for dead, 
and for over a year niany^ of his comrades knew 
not that he was j'ct among the living. His family 
also mourned for him as dead and had a funeral ser- 
mon delivered for him at his Ohio home. The facts 
of the case were these: It was some time before 
he recovered consciousness, and he was then cap- 
tured by the Confederate forces and imprisoned in 
Andersonville. This was practically' a burial as 
far as any communication with the outside world 
was concerned. He w.as thus incarcerated for fif- 
teen months,after which he was paroled and shortly 
afterward mustered out at Columbus. He had 
advanced from private to Corporal at the time of 
his capture, and was in the line of further pro- 
motion. 

In 18fio JMr. McCormick vvent to Illinois, but 
his health was so shattered that he returned to 
Ohio. Since 1867 he has resided continuously in 
Madison County, with the exception of about four 
years spent in Missouri. He has alwa3's been 
identified with farming interests and is a large 
producer of corn, wheat, potatoes and livestock. 

Mr. McCormick w.as married March 4, 1869, to 
Lucretia Gilliam, and their union has been blessed 
with five children, four yet living, viz.: Wilbur 
L., Frances W., Mary K. and (Jcorge G., all of 
whom arc yet under the parental roof. The |)ar- 
euts are highly respected citi/.cns of the commu- 
nity and have many friend.s. Socially, Mr. Mc- 
Cormick is connected with Collinsville Lodge No. 
712, A. v. k A. M.; and Hughes Post, G. A. U., 



of ('(illiiisville. Ill politics he is a stalwart Repub- 
lican, and is inlliiciitial in llie ranks of tlir p:iity 
in the county. 



'ilJOHN TKTIIKUINCTON, who is a farmer 
on sectitiii 20, Collinsville Towiishi|>, Mad- 
ison County," is a public-spirited and pro- 
N5^5/ gressive citizen, alive to the best interests 
of the community, and never withholds his sup- 
port and co-o|)eiation from any enter|>rise c:ileu- 
lated to promote the general welfare. He has the 
hoiKjr of being a native of Illinois, his liirlli hav- 
ing occurred in St. Cl.iir County, in LSI',). He is 
the eldest child born to Richard and Martha 
(Hutchison) Tetheringlon. His father was prob- 
ably born in Ohio, but came to Illinois in an early 
day, and died when our subject was a youth of 
fifteen years. His good wife was born in Madi- 
son County, and is still living at the ripe old age 
of sevent3'-one. 

Our subject acipiired his primary education in 
the common schools of Madison County, wliither 
he had been brought by his parents when a child 
of three summers. He attended one term of 
school in Kdwaidsville, and at the age of eighteen 
entered McKendree College at Lebanon, 111., where 
he pursued his studies for five j'cars. On the ex- 
piration of that jieriod he began teaching school, 
which he followed only a short time; he then gave 
his attention to farming, which has since been his 
life oeiup:ilioii. lie now operates three luiiidied 
acres of good huid, and his home farm coiiiiirises 
one hundred ;icres of nicely improved land. He 
is making a specialty of the raising of wheat, al- 
though he grows other products extensively. In 
1893 he raised one thousand bushels of tomatoes 
on three acres of ground, and in 189 1 he planted 
ten acres to the same crop. 

Mr. Tetherington was married in 1878. the hidy 
of his choice being Miss Murv 1. Kenfro, daughter 
of J. .). and Nancy (Gaskell) Reiifro. Their union 
was blessed with a family of nine eliildreii, all of 
whom are yet living, ami are still with their par- 
ents. They are, Guy, Oiiia, Ida. Miiud, Mary, 



1 




4 




.vfiiif^P^ 


^;jj>/^^- 




V 




/ 



SAMIKL H. WVSS. 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRAriUCAL RECORD. 



341 



John, Blanche, Martlia Alice and Nancy Agnes; the 
last two are twins. Tiie family is one of pronii- 
nence in the cunuminit\', its representatives hold- 
ing a high [josition in tlie social circles in which 
they move. 

Mr. Tetherington is a member of CoUinsville 
Lodge No. 712, A. F. & A. JI., and his estimable 
wife holds menibcrslii|) with the Methodist Episco- 
l)al Chinch. In his political views he is a Repub- 
lican, keeps well informed on the issues of the day, 
and like everj- true American citizen should do, 
feels an interest in political affairs, yet has never 
aspired to odicial honors. He is now acting as 
Supervisor of CoUinsville Township. In connec- 
tion with his farming interests, he is a stock- 
holder and Director in the CoUinsville Canning 
Factory. Almost his entire life has been passed 
in Madison Count}^ and those \\ ho have known 
him from boyhood are numbcied among his 
stanchest friends, a fact which indicates that his 
career has been an honoraljle and straightforward 
one. 



SAMUEL II. WYS.S. This gentleman, who 
is one of the iironjiiieiit druggists of Alton, 
is the son of Samuel W.yss, Sr.,wlio was born 
in Aaiwangan, Switzerland, in 1828, the 
latter being a son of Andrew and M:uy (Leunbei- 
ger) Wyss. The mother of our subject was Caroline, 
daughter of Henry and Louisa (WcUeke) Dietz, 
and was born in Essendow, Germany, in 1838. Her 
father was a soldier in the Crimean War and emi- 
grated to Amerif.i in 1854, making his way di- 
rectly to this city, where he engaged in the man- 
ufacture of brick. 

Samuel Wyss, Sr., crossed theAtlaiitic in 1855 and 
also made this city his destination. Here he was 
variously employed for a time and then embarked 
in the hotel business, operating as "mine host" 
for a quarter of a century. He is still living, and 
with his estimable wife has a pleasant home in the 
city. To them were born three children. William 
married Mattie Fagen and is residing in Alton; 
Samuel IL, of this sketch, was the iiest iu order of 
13 



birth; and Bertha, the wife of William Struble, also 
makes her home in this city. Mr. Wyss is a mem- 
ber of the German Lutheran Church, while his wife 
belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church. 

Samuel II. was born September 27, 18G0, in Al- 
ton, and received his primary education in the 
cominoii schools, after which he took a course in 
Shurtleff College. Upon starting out in life for 
himself he began clerking in a drug store, and de- 
ciding that lie would make this his life work he 
went to Chicago and entered the National College 
of Fharmacy, from which he was graduated in 
1887. Then returning to his native city he pur- 
chased the drug store of Phili|) IMook, on the cor- 
ner of Third and Piasa Streets, which he con- 
ducted during the six months his own store was 
being built. Into this lie moved July I, 1888, and 
now has one of the linest establishments in the 
cit}'. He carries a full line of drugs, toilet articles, 
etc., together with [laints and oils, and is consid- 
ered one of the most reliable prescription druggists 
in this section. He is also interested in various 
other enterprises, being a stockholder in the Hap- 
good Plow Company; the Obear Glass Works, lo- 
cated in East St. Louis, and the Kathannan Chem- 
ical Company-, doing business in the Mound City. 

August 30, 1893, the marriage of Mr. Wyss oc- 
curred with Miss Dora Belle, daughter of William 
and Hannah (Johnson) E:i.ei't. Mr. Eniert, who 
was an old resident of the county, is now deceased. 
Mrs. Wyss was born April 3, 1871, and acijuired 
her education in the Uiseline Convent in thiscity. 
With her husband she is a devoted member of the 
Catholic Church. 



G= 



i^ 



^y- 



■'?^lllJJ^^"^=^^ 



'OHN WENDLER, a farmer of CoUinsville 
Township, Madison County, residing on 
section 1"J, is one of the vvorthy citizens 
' that Germany has furnished to this locality. 
Those wh') have emigrated from the Fatherland to 
America have generally |»roved industrious and 
enterprising citizens, and of this class our subject 



312 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAIMIICAL RKCORD. 



is :i worlliy reprcscnlative. Me was born in Ba- 
vai'iii ill 1H30, iiiul is a sun of .lat'uli :iiul Mai-^aret 
(Raiiji) WeiuUer, wiio willi llieir family came to 
America in 1817, lakiiig up llioir icsiilcncc in Mad- 
ison County, where they spent tlieir entire lives. 

The subject of this sketch attcnilcil the public 
sdiools of his native country until fourteen years 
of age, and then gave his father the benefit of his 
services, thus becoming familiar with all the duties 
of farm life. lie accompanied his parents on their 
emigration, and remained with them forsome tune 
in Madison County, giving to his father the bene- 
fit of his services in tlie development of the new 
farm, lie was nineteen yeai"S of age when he be- 
gan farming in his own interest, and this occupa- 
tion lie has made his life work. He now owns 
eighty acres of well improved laud, which yields to 
him a golden tribute in return for the care and 
cultivation which he bestows upon it. He is truly 
a self-made man, having with the assistance of his 
wife and family made all he has. 

In Dclober, 1851, Mr. Weiidler wedded Miss Ro- 
sina Kalblleisch, daughter of Conrad and Rosina 
(Furcli) IvaUilleisch. Her family came to America 
in an early day, living first in New York City, 
where Mrs. Wendler was born. She was a little 
child of two years when her parents removed to 
St. Louis. Her people have been (juite prominent 
in Madison County, and her brother George is now 
serving as County Treasurer. To our subject and 
his wife were born seven children, of whom one 
died in infancy, while one son, John, closed his 
eyes in death at the age of twenty-eight years, 
leaving a widow and two children. Mary is now 
the wife of tiie Rev. Krncj^l l-'iank, of I'.ig Rapids, 
Mich.; Hosina is the wife of the Rev. (ioetfried 
.lung, of Neliiaska; Anna is the wife of Wesley 
Fowler, of Collinsville, 111.; Henry married Sophia 
]{;chtei-, and is living in Nebraska; and George, 
who married Louisa (ierfen, resides on the old 
homestead. 

Mr. Wendler, his wife and children are all mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Chuich, and the family is 
widely aii<l favoialily known in llii' comiiumity, 
its repiesentJili ves being people of prominence and 
sterling worth. In his political views our subject 
has always been a Democrat. He has served his 



towMNliip MS Highway Coinmissioiur for sixteen 
years, and discharged his duties with |)romplness 
and fidelity, but has never aspired to other ollicial 
honors. 



#^E 



^x^UL. .JOHN .1. liRKNIIOLT, Mayorof Alton, 
(l( ^L is a native of Missouri and became a resi- 
^s^' dent of the HlulT City in 1877, since which 
time he has had a liiie law practice in the State and 
Federal Courts. He was admitted to the 15ar of 
this state in 18G7, and in IH'.IO was admitted to 
practice before the Supreme Court of the I'liiled 
States at Washington, I). C. As an attorney he 
has been vcr}- successful, and is recognized as one 
of the leading members of the Madison County 
Har. 

In the year 18'j;J the name of Colonel Hrenholl 
was brought forward by the poo])le .is candidate 
for Mayor of Alton, and although the Republicans 
and Democrats had tlieir respective nominees, he 
carried every ward but one, receiving a plurality 
of four hundred and sixty-four votes. His admin- 
istration has been from the first of a progressive 
and refornialciry character. To the duties of his 
high position he has brought a lilting dignity, and 
in all the relations of life that conscientious re- 
gard for duty of which we often read, but which is 
too seldom seen, especially among those having 
within their hands the interests of city and com- 
monwealth. 

The father of Alton's popular Mayor was .Jacob 
Breiiholl, a native of I'ennsylvania, and an archi- 
tect by profession. .\l .an early age he reinovetl 
west to St. liOuis, where he followed his chosen oc- 
cupation until death. Subseipienlly his widow 
came to Madison County, III., and settled upon a 
farm, where the subject of this sketch was reared 
to manhood. The rudiments of his education 
were gained in the district schools of this county, 
and after a term of teaching he entered Illinois 
College, from which he was graduated in 181)7. 
Soon afterward he entered the Albany Law School, 
of Albany, N. Y., and coni|)leted his legal studies 
in that institution. 

Ill 1877 Colonel Brenholt was united in mar- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



343 



riage with IMiss P^lizabetli, daughter of Jiulge Pri- 
nicas Klilrcdge, by whom he lias three children, 
Gertrude, KdiUi andJohii. DuringGovernor Cul- 
loni's administration he served on the guberna- 
torial staff with tiie rank of Colonel. Personally, 
he is high minded, affable and cultured, the object 
of many and warm friendships, and a man in all 
respects above reproach. lie is a man of the pco- 
l)le, and self made in the strictest sense. His 
whdle life has been among the people, in full syin- 
patiiy with them, and in their special conlidence 
and esteem. Fidelity to conviction, coupled with 
great energy and close application, have been his 
principal cliaraetSristics. While be has been an 
industrious and eOicient attorney, he has also given 
considerable attention to politics, being one of the 
leading Republicans of southern Illinois. 



IIARLES HOLDEN is a much esteemed and 
prominent citizen of Alton, 111., and made 
^J a large acquaintance during the time be 
served so efficiently as Postmaster. In this respon- 
sible position he faithfully officiated from 1878 
until August, 1886, serving under three Presidents. 
Mr. Ilolden was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, Eng- 
land, December 5, 1810, but as he was only an in- 
fant at the time of his parents' removal to the 
United Slates, he has all his life been thoroughly 
identified with the welfare of this land. 

Charles and Elizabeth (Cunningham) Ilolden, 
the parents of our subject, were natives of Eng- 
land, who came to the United States in 1841, arriv- 
ing at Alton on Christmas Day of that year. Mr. 
Ilolden permanently located in this place, being 
engaged in a clerical position with different busi- 
ness houses and railroad offices. He secured the 
first cargo of railroad iron that was shipped into 
Alton. On March 10, 1888, he departed this life, 
leaving a widow and seven children to mourn his 
loss. Mrs. Ilolden is still surviving, making her 
home in Alton. She is a member of the Congre- 
gational Church, while her husband was a Uni- 
tarian in his religious views. Politically be was fi 



Republican. Their children were as follows: 
.James, who died in 18G0; Charles, Richard, Emma 
.Jane; Eliza Ann, who died in infancy; John C, 
Martha A.; .James, who died in the jear 18G.5. and 
(jleorge W. 

The boyhood of Charles Ilolden and his later 
3-ears have been passed in this city, where he at- 
tended the local schools. When quite young he 
entered the office of the Telegraph as an appren- 
tice, continuing at the trade until about nineteen 
years of age. He became familiar with general 
newspaper work and then went to St. Louis and 
entered the employ of the St. Louis RepubUcan. 
At the end of about three months he entered the 
job printing office of Studley & Co., where he re- 
mained for a similar period. Next proceeding ti» 
Jefferson City, he w.as employed for four years on 
State work. He was thus engaged during the ses- 
sions of the Legislature until May. 1860, but at 
the close of each session returned to St. I^ouis. In 
1860 he went to Springfield, obtaining a position 
on the Slate Journal, and was present in the office 
at the time that the message of Lincoln's assassina- 
tion was sent over the wires. 

In September, 1860, Mr. Ilolden left S|(iingfield 
and went to St. Louis, working on the Bulletin until 
the state work resumed, when he went back to Jef- 
ferson City and was employed until May 10, 
1861, the same day he left the city for St. Louis. 
He was on the last train that passed over the O.sage 
bridge before it was burned and arrived the day 
before Camp Jackson was taken. At the first call 
of President Lincoln he enlisted, but the quota 
having been filled, his company was disbanded. 
Until March, 1862, he was next employed on the 
Illinois State Register, at Springfield. After a 
short time spent in Alton we ne.vt find him in St. 
Louis with the firm of R. P. Studley ik Co., who 
had large contracts for printing,and with this firm 
he remained until after the close of the war. In 
May, 186.5, our subject returned to the office of the 
Alton Teleyrajih as foreman, remaining as such 
until September, 1866, when he became the owner 
of a one-half interest in the paper. This journal he 
conilucted successfully until July, 1878, when he 
received the appointment of Postmaster. He was 
one of the few occupying similar positions that 



3N 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



President Cleveland refused to remove. In 1886, 
DM retiring' from llie posilidii, lio resumed his 
former occupation of priiitiiiy, aiul also opened a 
stationer}' store at No. (!()5 Second Street. 

The marriage of Mr. Iloldcn occurrod Fuhruary 
10, 18(!2, in tliis city, to Matilda, daugliter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Boston) Smith, natives 
of England. To them were born tlie following 
children: Carrie E., William T. S., Wilbur N., 
I'jiima Louise, Martha I'luebo and Richard Roy. 
William T. S. and Wilbur N. arc deceased. Mrs. 
lloldcu is a faithful member of the Baptist Church. 

ill 1)^71 our subject was elected to the responsi- 
ble position of City Treasurer, which he held for 
eiiilit terms successively, and in 187C was nomi- 
nated b}' the Republican party for Treasurer of 
Madison County. He was also chosen Alderman 
in the spring of 18113, and is looked upon by his 
fellow-citizens with great favor as a public man. 
He is a stanch Republican and has always taken an 
active part in the affairs of the party, being a del- 
egate to numerous conventions and often manag- 
ing local campaigns. 



"S] 



^H^e 




(Barlow) t^uarton. The family emigrated to the 
United Suites in .Tulv, 182'J, and settled in Morgan 
County, near Jacksonville, 111. There the father 
followed the occupation of a farmer for some time, 
but later removing to Winchester, Scott County, 
111., made that place his home until his death, in 
1855. His widowsurvived him more than a decade, 
passing from earth in 18()5. 

In the family of Thomas <^iiiaiti>n there were 
ten children, namely: Sarah, Ann, .Jonathan, Mary, 
Elizabeth, William B., Ellen, Thomas, .lolin and 
Robert, all of whom came to this country except- 
Robert and .lolin. The sul)ject of this sketch was 
in youth a student in the schools of Yorkshire 
until the family came to the United States. He 



remained at home until about seventeen, when he 

went to St. Loins and becauu' an employe in a 
grocery store, remaining there until 18:!',). Upon 
his return to the parental home in Morgan Coun- 
ty, he aided his father on the farm for a tiiiu' aiicl 
then went to iMigland, where he was maiiicd. 

Reluming to the United States in the spring of 
1810, he purchased a farm in Macoupin County 
and commenced for himself the life of an agricult- 
urist. In the fall of 1818 he removed to Alton 
and opened a general mercantile store, conducting 
business for two years under the firm name of 
Lock it- t^uarton. Later he condnclcd business 
alouu. In the spring of 1853 h<! sold out, and re- 
moving to AViiichester, opened a store at that 
place. In 1856 he returned to Alton and entered 
into partnership with William Nixon, which con- 
nection was later dissolved liy mutual consent, Mr. 
t^uarton continuing the business alone. 

In the fall of 1865, soon after closing out his 
business, Mr. (Juarton was elected Justice of the 
Peace and has been re-elected to that [josition 
every successive year since that time. This fact, 
without further words, is a high endorsement of 
his qualilications for the position. In 188Ghe was 
chosen Supervisor and served in that capacity for 
one term. Previous to this he had odiciated in the 
same capacity for three ^-ears. In 18G9 he was 
chosen Coroner of the county and served for four 
years. In addition to his other ollicial duties he is 
now Police Jlagistrate, having been first appointed 
to thisoflice in 1887, the second time in 18U3, and 
again in 189-1. He is now also a Notary Public. 

The first marriage of Mr. tjuarton occurring in 
1810 united him with Mary Ann Turner, a native 
of Yorkshire, who died M.ay 28, 1852. Two years 
later he married Fannie Ilaxwell, who died in 
1858. Ill May, 1860, he was united with Flora 
Aiidif^ws, a native of (Jhio. This lady is an active 
member of the Congregational Church, to which 
our subject also belongs. Politically he gives his 
support to Republican projects and principles. He 
is a man of kind, genial nature, inheriting the 
characteristics of a long line of English ancestors. 
His progenitors for many generations lived in 
Yorkshire, where both his grandfathers, Richard 
Quartou and William Barlow, were born. He is 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



345 



one of the few persons who have no enemies. In 
his quiet, modest Init linn w.a.y he lias discliarged 
his oltici.il duties in sucii .a manner as to win the 
respect and confidence of all. 



y^lLLlAftl M. J.KK, an er 
liighl}' respected farmer o 
^ ^ Townsliiii, is numbered a: 



4^ 



(\\ I^ILLIAM M. LEE, an enterprising and 

of Edwardsville 
among the early 
settlers of Madison County, the growtli and de- 
velopment of which lie has eagerly witnessed. He 
lias also borne liis (lart in the work of public im- 
provements and has always been recognized as one 
of llie valiant citizens of the community. The 
record of his life is as follows: He was born in 
Greene County, this state, .lune 12, 1827, and is 
the son of Archibald and .Jane (U[)stan) Lee, the 
former of whom was born in Alabama and emi- 
grated northward to Illinois about 1824. lie lo- 
cated in the above county, where his decease took 
place when seventy-eight ^ears of age. 

Tlie mother of our subject is a native of Clay 
County, this state, and is still living, making her 
home in Fayette at the advanced age of eighty- 
eight. She became the mother of a familj' of four- 
teen children, ten of whom .are still living. Will- 
iam M. w.as reared on the home farm and remained 
under the parental roof until attaining his major- 
ity, when he set out for himself, and coming to 
this county, rented and operated a farm on his 
own account for several years. 

Our sultject's marriage with Miss Mary A. Nix 
was celebrated in September, 18.51. The lady was 
born in this county and was the daughter of Am- 
bers and Sally Nix. She is now deceased, de- 
parting this life on the farm when sixty-one years 
old. She had become the mother of seven chil- 
dren, of whom .John, who was born July 17, 1853, 
and .lane, born in 1857, are living. The former 
married Miss Lizzie Dederman and has two sons 
and one daughter, William, Hazel and Edward. 
Jane is the wife of William Kline and the mother 
of three children, John, Fanny and Sally. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Lee made a pur- 



chase of sixty-eight acres of land, which forms a 
portion of his present tr.act of one hundred and 
eighty-four acres. He has always been a hard 
worker, and in his agricultural pursuits he has al- 
ways showed a disposition to improve his oppor- 
tunities. He is a Democrat in politics, which ticket 
he has voted since the days of James K. Polk. 

The home farm is now managed by John Lee, 
the eldest son of our subject, with whom he makes 
his home. The latter is both progressive and en- 
terprising anil is Itound to attain a high place 
among the well-to-do agriculturists of Edwards- 
ville_Township in the near future. 



-S- 



- -<§: 



'-NlP) 



i>^^<l 



^S^EORGE W. MAHLER. Madison County 
III (~- is justly proud of her native-born citizens, 
^^^! who are honorably bearing tiieir share in 
sustaining her interests and extending her wealth. 
Among these is the subject of this biographical 
review, who is engaged in farming on sections 13, 
and 14, Edvvardsville Township, and who is one of 
its most progressive and enlightened farmers. He 
has a fine estate under substantial improvement, 
and the fields are well tilled and adorned with a 
neat set of buildings, including a commodious farm 
residence. 

The original of this sketch w.as born January IG, 
1856, in this county, and is a son of Antliony and 
Martha (McLanah.an) Mahler. The father was born 
in (iermany and died when our subject was only 
five years of .age. He was a blacksmith by trade, 
which calling he followed throughout his entire 
life. The mother of our subject was likewise born 
in this county and is at present living here with 
her second husliand, II. C. Kersey. She is the 
daughter of James and Americas (Berd) McLana- 
lian, and by her union with Anthony Mahler be- 
came the mother of four children, two sons and 
two daugiilers, who so far .as is known are all 
living. 

George W. remained at homo until attaining his 
seventeenth year, in the meantime having received 
a common-school education. He worked by the 



346 



IXJRTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



month until June 7, 1882, wlicn lie cstahlislied a 
lidinc of Ills own and was married to Miss Anna 
M. 15arnsl>ack. The lady was horn in this county 
and is the dauj^hter of ,Iacob and Kli/.aliolh Harnt- 
back. She was given a line education, being edu- 
cated at Almira College, at CJreenvillc, and re- 
mained at home until her union with our subject. 
They have had born to them two children: Fannie 
1'., whose birth occurred March 20, 188.1, and Hes- 
sie G., born September 5, 1885. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Mahler located 
upon sixty acres of land, which he developed into 
a line farm, and engaged in mixed husbandry. His 
career was begun as a poor boy, but by energy 
and per-severance, united with good business qual- 
ifications, he has l)ecome well-to-do and ranks 
among the substantial residents of Edwardsville 
Township. He is a stanch Democrat in politics 
and for three years was Assistnnt Supervisor. lie 
is an earnest and energetic citizen, and besides 
being tlKU'ouglily devoted to the duties of his vo- 
cation, takes an interest in tlie local progress and 
leading movements of his home neighborhood and 
is proving an important factor in the upbuilding 
and advancement of prominent enterprises of the 
day. 



-^ 




^<^AS1'KR V. JOEIIL at the lime of his 
(l( _. decease, in 1881, w.as a resident of Wood 
^^^ River Township, wlicre he had a good es- 
tate and where he was engaged in dairy farming. 
He was born in Switzerland in 1818, and w.as tlie 
son of Joseph and Josephine (Sloessel) Joehl. His 
father was a man of limited means and ran a 
resUiur.'int in his native land, and at the same 
time engaged in farm pursuits on a small scale. 

The parents of Casper Joehl reared a family of 
four sons, all of whom are deceased. John died in 
bis native land, .Switzerland, and .loseph, Frank 
and Casper departed this life in the I'liiled Slates. 
The parents are members of the Catholic Church, 
ill the faith of which their children were trainctl. 
Our subject received his education in the Catholic 



schools, and remained at home until reaching his 
thirly-lifth year. 

The niarri.age of Casper F. Joehl occurred in 
18;'53, at which time Miss Josephine, daughter of 
Meiurod and Josephine (Holstein) Hcmcrle, be- 
came his wife. The father of Mrs. Joehl was well 
educated and taught in the i)arocliial schools for 
thirty years in Switzerland. The original of this 
sketch crossed the Atlantic in the j'ear 18.'»0, and 
having no means, worked at whatever he could 
find to do. Later he returned home and was mar- 
ried, after which he brought his wife with him to 
his new home, locating first in New Orleans, where 
he worked as a scissors grinder. He then made 
his way ui) tlie Mississippi River to St. Louis, 
where he w:vs similarly employed. His good wife 
also aided in making a living, and the first year 
she cleared ¥.'50(1 by sewing nine hundred pairs of 
shoes. They invested their means in milch cows, 
and Mr. Joehl peddled the milk about the city, 
carrying it in buckets. Later he i)urch.ased ahorse 
and w.agon, and the four years wliich followed 
were very pros|)erous ones. 

In 185'.) our subject came to Alton, where he 
made Ins home for about twenty-two years, being 
engaged during the greater part of the time in the 
milk business. His widow purchased the present 
place, which now includes one hundred and fifty- 
five .acres, and having stocked it with a fine herd 
of milch cows, continues in the dairy business. 
His death occurred M.ay 1, 1881. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Joehl there were born ten 
children, one of whom died in infancy. The re- 
mainder of the family are, Joseph, in Hot Springs, 
Ark.; Julia, Mrs. Misegades; John, who lives in 
Alton; Lena, Mrs. Joseph lUidde; Meinrad, at 
home; Josephine, Mrs. Henry Dunschen, who lives 
in Alton; Jennie, who married Charles Scheiik, and 
lives in St. Louis; and Agnes and Lewis, at home 
with their mother. The cliildren have all been 
given good educations in both the (lerman and 
Fnsilish languages. 

After the death of her husband Mrs. Joehl, with 
the aid of her sons, continued the dairy business, 
■ and by good management lliey have greatly in- 
creased the same, and li.ave .a fine and paying route 
in .\lton. 'I'liey lia\ i' on their place about eighty 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD, 



347 



cows, find in tliis hrancli of farming are becoming 

well-to-do. The entire family are members of the 
Catholic Cliurch and are greatly respected in the 
neighborhood. 




i^ETER S. WEIDMAN, M. D. This suc- 
cessful physician and surgeon of Marine 
has a liberal and lucrative practice and is 
well known as an able, intelligent and 
energetic citizen, worthy of the confidence and 
esteem of the people. He is of Swiss descent, 
his grandparents, Peter and Elizabeth Catherine 
(Hochslrasse) Weidman, having been born in 
Switzerland, whence they emigrated to America 
and settled near Albany, N. Y., in a little village 
which they named Berne. 

The father of our subject. Rev. Paul Weidman, 
was born in New York and was a well educated 
man, having been graduated from Union College, 
Schenectady, N. Y. After completing his studies 
in the theological institution at New Brunswick, 
he was ordained to the ministry of the Dutch Re- 
formed Church, and for twentj- years following 
held the pastorate of the church in Schoharie, N. Y. 
Manj' times he preached to congregations in the 
old stone fort in that place, which during the 
early days was used by the settlers as a refuge 
from attack bj' the Indians. For twenty years he 
was pastor of the church in Manheim, Herkimer 
County, N. Y., thus covering a period of forty 
years with the two charges. Among the minis- 
ters of his denomination he was very influential, 
his superior ability and spiritual life winning for 
him the confidence of all. 

October 11, 1820, Rev. Paul AVeidman married 
Miss Angelica, daughter of John Schermerhorn 
and a native of Schenectady, N. Y. She was a 
member of one of the prominent families of the 
Empire State and was an accomplished lady and a 
graduate of Troy (N. Y.) Seminary. Her death 
occurred in Ithaca, in April, 1862, two weeks after 
her husband's decease. They were the parents of 
five children, three of whom are now living. 



namely: P. S.; Angelica, who makes her home in 
Homer, N. Y^, but will soon take charge of the 
Doctor's house and spend her last days with him; 
and Paul, a resident of Marcellus, N. Y. The first- 
named was born in Schenectady, N. Y., May 2, 
1826, and was educated in Schoharie Academy, 
where he was prepared to enter the junior class of 
Union College. Changing his plans, however, he 
decided to study medicine and took a course in 
the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor. 
Later he conducted his professional studies in Al- 
bany, N. Y., and was graduated from the regular 
school of that city in the spring of 1855. One of 
his brothers, Dr. John (now deceased), was a grad- 
uate of that school, as was also one of his .sons. 
Another nephew of our subject is a prominent 
physician in Marine. He graduated in New York 
City, and a niece, Miss Fannie, received the degree 
of Doctor of Medicine in the Medical College at 
Buffalo, N. Y. 

Opening an oflice for the practice of his profes- 
sion in 1850, Dr. Weidman practiced medicine 
for two years in Willscyville, N. Y., whence in 
March, 1857, he came to Madison County and 
settled in* Marine. Although since that time 
twenty-two physicians have been settled in this 
place, he has maintained a large practice and the 
confidence of the people. He is now the oldest 
practicing physician in the county' and is thor- 
oughly devoted to his profession. He studies 
both the eclectic and dosimetric systems and has a 
reputation as a skillful physician. At the present 
time he is connected with the Madison County and 
the State Medical Societies. His articles written 
for the "Medical World," of Philadelphia, as well 
as other medical journals, have been copied in 
other journals. He is examining physician for 
the Equitable, ^Titna, Hartford, Bankers' and New 
York Life Insurance Companies. 

The lady whom Dr. P. S. Weidman married in 
1858 was Harriet J., daughter of Jordon Jeffross. 
She was born in Virginia and departed this life 
January 6, 1894. She was a devoted member 
of the Christian Church, in which the Doctor 
serves as Trustee. He was immersed in and united 
with the church December 10, 1862. F'ormerly 
identified with the Odd Fellows, he was Vice 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAniTCAL RECORD. 



nrand of tlio lodiic while losidiinj; in Sclifiliai-io. 
In piililics a Kcinililicnn, hi' takos an inlcrost in 
the loading movements of liis neigliborliood. and 
during the yi'ais of ills rosidcncc here lias proved 
an important factor in tiie advancement of pnbiie- 
spirited enterprises. A few years ago lie com- 
pleted a lieantifiil residence, which he now oc- 
cupies anil which with its well kept lawn and 
attractive environments is one of the loveliest 
homes in the citv. He has named it •'The Cedars." 




«jMERY SAMFEI- DIXON, one of the old 
veterans of .Madison County, is novv livinij 
ij in Cpper Alton, where he has many waiin 
friends. He is a native of this state, having been 
horn in I'.oud County, August 22, 183H. Ili.s fa- 
ther, .\m/.i (1. Dixoii, and4)is mother, prior to her 
marriage .Mary A. Tindall, were natives respec- 
tively of Tennessee and France. The paternal 
grandfather of our subject, .Samuel Dixon, was 
horn in Scotlaml; lie emigrated to the United 
States in an early day, locating (irst in Tennessee, 
and later removed to Kentucky, where his death 
took pl.'ice in 1H((2. He w.as the owner of a large 
and valuable plantation, which was worked by 
negroes. 

The father of our subject came to Ikind County, 
this stale, when eighteen years of .age, and here he 
wasjnarried. He was a farmer by occupation, and 
made his home on a good estate in the above coun- 
ty until 1810, when he removed to tiranl Countj', 
Wis.; he is still living and is engaged in tilling 
the soil in I,a Fayette County, that slate. He is a 
stanch Kepublican in politics, and left home on ac- 
count of differing with his parents on the slavery 
(pieslion. In religious faith he is a devoted mem- 
ber of the Presbyterian Church, and while living 
in I'lattville, served on the council. 

The mother of iiur subject, as before stated, was 
born in France, and accompanied her parents to 
this country-, locating with them in Hond Count}', 
III. She reared a family of seven children, and 
departed this life in 1K70. The brolliers and sis- 



ters of our subject who are living are, Mary A., 
now Mrs. I{. \V. Murphy, of Uloomington, this 
state; Alvin M., Lucius I.., Amos A. and Charles 
A. ICugeiie L. is decea.sed. 

Emery S., of this sketch, was reared on his fa- 
ther's farm, receiving the advantsiges of a district 
school education. During the late war he first en- 
listed in the Second Wisconsin, in September, IKdl, 
and .lanuary 23. 18(il, became a member of Com- 
pany II, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry, com- 
manded by Colonel Orft. They reported for duty 
at Columbus, Ky., and participated in an engage- 
ment about twenty-eight miles from Ft. I'illuw. 
His regiinenl foinied a [)art of the Mineteenth 
Army Corps, Third lirigade and Second Division. 
After the light already mentioned, they were order- 
ed to New Orleans, and from there to Ft. Hudson, 
where they took part in the siege of that pl.ace. 
After its capture they moved on to Spanish Fort, 
where they look an active part in that memorable 
siege, the company of our subject leaving behind 
many killed and wounded soldiers. From that 
])lace they went to New Orleans, thence up the 
Mississippi River, where they encountered General 
Forrest. Later they were sent back to Port Hud- 
son, remaining there for about a month, and 
then went to Morganzia's Heiid, where Mr. Dixon 
received a wound; he was confined in the hospital 
of the Crescent City from .July 3 until the lirsl of 
the succeeding year, when he was given a sixty 
days" furlough and returned home. After its ex- 
piration he rejoined his regiment, but was soon 
taken sick and sent to Harvey's Hospital, at Madi- 
son, Wis., where he remained until mustered out. 
ftl.ay IG, 18G,5. 

On the close of the wai-. our subject retiniieil to 
his home in Wisconsin, and in 1870 made his ad- 
vent into this city, where he has resided ever since, 
eng,aged in carpentering and building, lie w.as 
married October 10, 1870, to Miss Mary -A., daugh- 
ter of .lesse and Mivssic (C^iiick) Wright, natives 
of Tennessee. The children Iwrn of their union 
aie named respectively: Lottie E., .lesse (L, Amos 
A., Nettie M., Shelby M., Maudie E., I'' rank F. and 
■Alvin M. 

Ill politics, Mr. Dixon is a Kepublican, and as a 
matter of cour.se belongs to the (irand Army |)ost, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOaRAPlIICAL RECORD. 



349 



in which lie is now Senior Vice-Comniander. His 

falhei- and four (if his l)rothei'S also particiiiated in 
tlie War of the Hohellion. Socially he is an Odd 
Fellow of good standing, lielongiiig to Lodge No. 
444, in Upper Alton. Mr. Dixon is the owner of 
a comfortable residence, and is highly esteemed all 
over the county. 



■->—»***>- 



/^*^*^*^*-»'«r^. I 



allARLES W. VAUOIIN, who is engaged in 
, farm pursuits in Wood River Township, 
was born on tlie old home place, about two 
and a-half miles southwest of where he now re- 
sides, February 28, 1854. He is the son of Joshua 
and Susanna (Sanders) Vaughn, and the grandson 
of Josiah and Margaret (Ilewett) Vaughn, the 
former of whom was a native of Kentucky and 
came to Illinois at a very early day in comiiany 
with his six brothers. 

TJie father of our subject was born in Madison 
County September 27, 1809, and although oper- 
ating a distillery for a short time in Alton, fol- 
lowed farm pursuits the greater jjart of his life. 
He entered laud from the Government in Wood 
River Township and succeeded in accumulating 
six hundred and thirty-five broad acres, the greater 
portion of which was under good improvement. 
The house which he erected on the place in 1833 
still stands and is occupied by our subject. 

Our subject was one in a family of nine chil- 
dren, four of whom died in infancy. Emily is the 
wife of Henry Kirby and resides in Jerseyville, 
this state; Williamson is engaged in mining in 
Leadvdle, Colo.; William J. is engaged in oper- 
ating the home farm in connection with our sub- 
ject; Jennie, now Mrs. T. H. Maltby, is living in 
this township. The husband and father died Oc- 
tober If), 1863, being preceded to the better land 
by his good wife, whose decease occurred October 
4, 1863. 

Charles W. was quite young when his parents 
died, hut the family remained together, and the 
following spring removed to Jerseyville. He com- 
pleted his education in the Michigan University 



at Ann Arbor, and upon attaining his majority 
took charge of the old homestead, which he and his 
brother William J. are still operating. The broth- 
ers make a specialty of raising stock and have some 
very fine pacers. They are also the owners of a 
yearling colt, which has shown the greatest speed 
of any animal of its age. 

Mr. Vaughn was married November 22, 1893, to 
Jliss Marguerite, daughter of Henr^' and Mary 
(Wolf) Mehmken. Mrs. Vaughn was born in (icr- 
many in 1866, but came to the United States with 
her paients when quite young. The father is liv- 
ing, but the mother is deceased. Our subject votes 
the Democratic ticket and is ranked among the 
leading farmers and stock-raisers of Madison 
County. 



Wn.LIAlM PERRY EARLY, an attorney of 
Edwardsville, was born in New Douglas 
Township, Madison County, on the 12th 
of July, 1860, and is the fourth child of Matthew 
R. and Elizabeth Jane (Surrels) Early. The fam- 
ily is of Irish origin and was founded in America 
during Colonial daj's. The grandfather, John 
Early, was a native of Virginia, and his son 
Matthew was born in Indiana April 26, 1818. 
The latter went to Clay County, 111., in 1849, and 
in 1854 came to Madison County, locating about 
eighteen miles northeast of Edwardsville. He was 
married June 9, 1850, to Miss Surrels, who was 
born in Clay County, 111., June 3, 1832, and who 
was of French extraction. Her death occurred 
June 8, 1876. 

Matthew R. Early was a son of John Early, who 
was born in Monroe County, Va., in 1786, and re- 
moved to Washington County, Ind., in 1817. In 
1810 he married Plnebe Allison. The father of our 
subject is still engaged in farming. He is a Re- 
publican in politics and formerly took quite an 
active interest in political affairs, serving several 
terms as Supervisor from his township. 

No special event occurred during the boyhood 
and youth of our subject, which were quietly 
passed upon the home farm and in attendance at 



^M 



I'ORTKAIT AND HKWiRAPHICAI. HKCOKH. 



tlio <li.strii-l .sflmols of tli<> iioi^lilioiliood. In 1SH3 
he l)o>;aii U':K'liiiijj ill tliis coiiiit y, l>oiiii; thus cin- 
ph)ve»l for several years, wln'ii, in IUST, lu' licirnii 
littini; liinisolf for his life work as n student in tlie 
law tilliee of .luilj^c .loiiu (.i. Irwin. He tliere jnir- 
siied liis studies for two years, after which lie was 
admitted to Hie liar, having sueeessfully passed the 
examination before the Supreme Court at Sprinj;- 
lield in ISH'.l. lininediately afterward Mr. Karly 
opened his ollice in Kdwardsville and liejjan prac- 
tiee. In his undertakings he h.as been very suc- 
eessful and has built up n good and lucrative 
business. 

In 1891 Mr. ICarly was eloeted and served as 
City Attorney of Kdwardsville, and when his two 
veal's' term had expired was re-elected, in 18i';?, for 
he had discharged his duties with pronnitness and 
lidelity and had won the trust and conlidenceof 
his fellow-townsmen. lie exercises his right of 
franchise in sujtport of the Hepubliean party and 
has always taken an active part in its success and 
welfare. lie is a member of Kdwardsville Lodge 
No. ;>;•, A. F. A- A. M.; and of t'aractacus Lodge 
No. 72, K. of r. He is a young man of jileasing 
address, highly respected by all who know him in 
the community, and has many warm friends. 



\|/ (HIS KKANKLIN SCIIUSSLKR, M. 1).. 
I ^ Pii. 1). is favorably known among the mem- 
Jj— ^ Ih-i-s of his profession, and is a popular physi- 
cian of Alton. He is a native of this state, his 
birth having cx-ciirred in Monmouth, Warren 
County, May :^0, 11S'>4. His parents, (Jeorge and 
Kli/.alH>th (Long) Schussler, were natives of Ham- 
burg, Oermany, and Fentress County, Tenn. The 
father of the former, George .lohan Schussler, -w.is 
a piofess4ir at one of the colleges of Ilainburg. He 
renioveil to the I'niled Stales, where he lived for 
awhile, but ultimately returned to the Fatherland. 
He w.as born in Leipsic, anil is the son of a brewer, 
who at the end of the Thirty Yeai-s War contributed 
a large fiuanlily of grain to feed the hungry petv 



pie. Our subject's father was born September 'il), 
l.si;5, and emigrated to the I'nited Slates in It^.'M,, 
lirsl locating in Adams County, and later becom- 
ing a resident of Warren County. By occuiiation 
he was a farmer, and at the present time is living 
with his son in Kansas. Ho supi>orl» the Uepubli- 
can party, and religiously belongs to the church 
of his fathers, the Lutheran denomination. Our 
subject's mother w.as born November 21, 1819, her 
father, .lohn Long, being a large plantation owner 
in Tennessee. In the early days he was a slave 
holder, but not believing in that institution be 
came to Illinois to escape from the same. He set- 
tled in Warren County, where he devoted himself 
to fanning until his death. His wife, who also 
died in Warren County, was in her maidenhood 
Letitia .Scott. The Longs and .Seotl*; were planters 
in the south from an early day, having removed 
to Tennessee from ^■irginia. The former were of 
French-Kiiglish descent, while the latter were of 
Scotch origin. The sister of Letitia Scott, Mary, 
married into the West family of Madison County. 
Mrs. Schussler died in Warren County, .lune 4, 
1888. She was a member of the liaptist Church, 
and the mother of five children, Letitia who mar- 
ried A. H. Kdgerton, a farmer in Colorado; George 
A.; .lohn W., a farmer and I'resident of the bank 
of Colony, Kan.; Kmma, who is the wife of Li>ftus 
Fox, of Iowa, and Louis F. 

The primary education of Dr. Schussler was ac- 
quired in the district schools in the vicinity of his 
home, and in 1869 lie entered Alonnuuith College, 
from which he was graduated in 1874 as Bachelor 
of Science. For some years succeeding he taught 
school. His next business undert^iking was in 
Grinnell, Iowa, where he carried on a drug store 
for a time. During his spare hours he pursued 
medical studies, and in 1882 entered Hahnemann 
Medical College in Chicago, graduating therefrom 
two yeai-s later. 

Knibarking in practice. Dr. Schussler returned to 
Monmouth, where he remained for a year. In 
1885 he located in Alton, where he h.as since been 
.actively eng.aged in building up a good practice. 
Ill the years of 1887-88-89 he held the chair of 
Physiology in Shurtleff College, and in 1891 re- 
ceived the degree of Doctor of Philoso|ihy. He 



PORTKATT AND BTOORAPmCAL RECORD. 



351 



is now reading to obtain the degree of LL. D., 
wliicli lie expects to receive in 1895. 

Tlie Doctor was married in Belleville, III., No- 
vember 1.3, 1875, to Miss Mary Patterson. His 
only chilli, Hugh Kenneth, is now a student at 
Shurtlcff College. The Doctor is a member of the 
Internatitmal Hahnemann Association, the Illinois 
State Homeopathic .Society and the Missouri In- 
stitute of Homeopathy. He is a member of the 
Masonic orrler, belonging to Warren Cliapter of 
Monmouth, 111., and the Oriental Consistory of 
Chicago. He also belongs to Medina Temple in 
that city, and has taken the thirt}' -second degree 
in the order. lie supports the Republican party, 
and is in favor of all movements tending to ad- 
vance tiie general welfare. Religiously he is a 
member of the P>aptist Church. In manner he is 
courteous and pleasant, winning the friendship 
and respect of all. 



_=] 



^+^ 



[^^ 



ENRY L. SCHULZE is the leading mer- 
jY, chant of Worden, where he also has an 
interest in a large lumber yard. He served 
as a Union soldier during the late war, and 
if for no other reason, he deserves prominent men- 
tion in this volume. Our subject was born in Ger- 
many, .lanuar}' 27, 1840, and is the son of Cord 
Schulze, also a native of that country, as was also 
his mother, Mrs. Sophia (Finke) Schulze. 

The parental family included eight children, 
four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject 
w.as the third in order of birth. He started out 
for himself in life at the age of seventeen j'ears, 
and having in his possession a sum of money that 
he borrowed suHicient to pay his passage to Amer- 
ica, he boarded a sailing-vessel, which landed him 
at New Orleans nine weeks later. From that city 
he made his way to St. Louis, Mo., thence to this 
county, where he hired out to work on farms for 
$5 per month. In 1858 we find him in Ridge 
Prairie, where he was similarly employed on the 
outbreak of the Civil War. Then being imbued 
with the spirit of patriotism, he enlisted in Com- 



pany D, Ninth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered 
into service in August, 1861. During the hard 
life which followed, he was taken prisoner and 
confined in Andersonville for six months, and 
later on was imprisoned at Horence,.S. C, for five 
months. 

On receiving his honorable discharge in 1865, 
our subject returned to Ridge Prairie, where lie 
continued to work out b}' the month until his 
marriage, which event was celebrated Ajiril 4, 
1868, and the lady of his choice was Miss Hannah 
Siebrasse. Mrs. Schulze was also born in the Fa- 
therland, and came to America in 1867, locating 
in this county. After his union our subject made 
settlement on a farm about three miles south of 
Worden, on which he remained for eleven j'ears, 
and then purchased property one and a-half miles 
in the same direction from the village. This in- 
cluded one hundred and ninety-six acres, which 
he cultivated for four years, and then disposing of 
it, removed with his family into the village and 
opened a general merchandise store. He is now 
occupying a double frame structure and is carry- 
ing on the largest trade in his line in the place. 
As before stated, he is also [lart owner of a lumber 
yard here, and is doing a fine trade in thai branch 
of business. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Schulze has been born a family 
of eight children, namely: Minnie, Mary, William, 
Anna, Henry, Sophia, Adolph and .Johnnie. Re- 
ligiously they are both members in good standing 
of the German Lutheran Church, in the work of 
which they are greatly interested. Mr. Schulze is 
a stanch Republican in politics. 



'^-- 



-.^ 



yJLLIAM KOHLENBERG, who carries on 
agricultural pursuits on section 16, Omph- 
^^ glient Townshii), isone of the worthy (Jer- 
man citizens of Madison County. He was born in 
Dielinessen, Germany, on the 3d of November, 
1824, and is a son of Christoff Kohlenberg, who 
was also a native of that countij'. His father was 



1V>UTKA1T AND mOOTJ VPIITC M KIlOUD. 



.viit* lUHnii'tl. llo Ih'st wedvltnl Miss SopUin Wo- 
iioi-kcr, »u(l l\v llifir miioii was Ihmh a fuiuil.v of 
live i-liiUht>n. Ki>v his stH\uul wife he cluwe Mim 
Kuleua Wisiuer, aiul lliev iKX-auie the )>Hi'euts of 
ei.i;hl ehiUhen. 

l>ui- suhjivl is the tliinl iu order <)f birth of the 
lii-st luaniagc. No event of sj^wial imiHutauce 
•^t'uirod during his boyhood and vouth, whieh 
>4eie ^uiellv juissed in his (vju'enls" home. At 
length he deterntined to try his fortune in tlie 
New NYorld, lielieving that it afforded better ad- 
vantages and privileges, si> in 18J4 he lK>rri>wetl 
♦ iO, f^ir he was a iK>or man, and having Iwde adieu 
to the Fatherland, bojtrded a westward lH.>und sjul- 
ing-vessel. On reaehing the shores t>f the New- 
World, he came at t>nee to Madison County, and 
here sei'ured empU>yment by the month us a farm 
hand. He was alsi.> emjiK>yed in breaking prairie 
with i>x-teams. At length, out of his earnings he 
had managed to save ♦UUH), whieh he invested in 
land, and U'gan farming fi>r himself. 

As a et>mj>auion and helpmate on life's journey, 
Mr. K(.«hlenlH'rg ehwe Miss Julia Kngelke, a na- 
tive oi i'lermany. After their marriage they K>- 
cated ajKUi a farm, an uuiu)prt>Yed tract of eighty 
aeres. It was all wild and uneultivated, but he at 
i>n(.r t«'gan the breaking and planting pr»H;ess, and 
iu course of lime rich and abundant harvests were 
garnertHl !is the result i>f his lalx.u's. He wi>rked 
early and late in tluKse tii-st years, and his earnest 
and jiei-sistent efforts were al length crowned with ' 
success. He is now the i>wner of a valuable farm 
of live hundred acres, under a high state of culti- 
vation, and improved with all uuKlern (.vnven- 
iences and awessivries. 

To Mr. and Mrs. KohlenlK'rg were l>orn four 
children, two sons and two daughters: Louisa, at 
home; Charles, wlm was K>rn on the farm, and is 
now .VstA'ssor of the low nship auil one of the prom- 
inent young men and leading Hepublicaus of the 
community: l.eona, wife of Herman Petei-s; and 
William, who ivmpletes the family. In his politi- 
cal views our subject is a sl;ilwart Republican, but 
has never had time or inclination for otlKf-seek- 
ing, preferring to give his entire attention to his 
bnsineiM interests, iu which he has met with signal | 
success. He is widelv and favorablv kni)wii in 



this ctimmunily, and with pleasure we pivseiil to 
our readers this rt'i'ord of his life. 



~+++*++++S 



DSKl'H FUANKl.lN I'OU IKK, Vii>e-l^esi- 
dent and manager of the Alton Klectric 
SlrtH'>t Hallway Ct>mpany, was Ikuu in Har- 
_ rison County, Iowa, June 27,1X1:3. He is 
the son of Francis J. ami Lucy (Fritncis) I'orter, 
natives rtvspectively of New York and l>hio, the 
former btnii in Usa6, and the latter in 183X. The 
Porter ancestry iniginaled in Sctitlanil, wlienw 
members of the family removed to Ireland at the 
time of the religious iH'rsccution in the former 
ci'untry. 

Ill boyln.H>d Francis J. I'orter enlisted in llic 
regular army as a tlfor, running away fixnn ashijw 
builder U> whom he hail Iven apprenliivd m New 
York. His mother, learning of his whereaKuits, 
secured his discharge. In l)<o8 he removed to 
Iowa, and three yeai'S later, at the i>pening i>f 
the Kel>ellion, he enlisted in the I'nion army and 
served in the western department until the ch>se 
of the war. During much i>f the time he was in 
active service against the Indians on the plains. 
Atone time he was rrovost-Marshal of Davenport. 
Since the war he Inis devoteil his attention li>stvH-k 
farming and now resides at Woodbine, Harrison 
County, Kiwa. I'olilically, he is a Republican, de- 
v(.>led to the principles of that parly. 

Koth Mr. and Mrs. I'orter are active memlK'i's ».>f 
the Christian Church. They have had eleven 
children, of whom two aiv now dtveased. The 
others are: Kmma, now the wife of Hon. Charles 
A. SU>an. of Ceneva, Neb.; Fraiu-es. Mrs. M. A. 
Evans, whose huslvind is a merchant iu WiK'dbine, 
Iowa; Joseph F.; William V.., a farmer in Harrison 
Ci>unty, Iowa; l<et>rgia, wife of H. J. lK>lmes, of 
Tac<.>ma, Wash.; Katherine, Principal of the si-Ih.k>1 
at C.eneva, Neb.; Ada, Henry and Inez, who are 
with their parents. 

I'pon the home farm the subje<.-l of this sketch 
was reared to manh«.KKl, tirst attending the district 
schoi'ls, later the high si-hool at Logan, K>wa, and 



POKTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



353 



in 1881 becoming a studenl in the Iowa State 
Agriciiltui-ul College at Ames. From the last- 
named institution he was graduated in 1884, after 
having completed a course of civil and electrical 
engineering. After he left college he became 
Cashier for the IJoyer Valley Bank at Woodbine, 
Iowa. In 1885 he engaged in the electric light 
business at- Des Moines, where he remained about 
six months. Then going to Appleton, Wis., he 
suijcrintended the installation of an electric light 
plant, lie then engaged with the Western Edison 
Light Compan}' at Chicago. 

Going to St. Louis In 1887, Sir. Porter engaged 
there in electrical construction for the Edison sys- 
tem, and in 1890 sold out to that company his 
entire interest. Later, In their emplo}-, he went 
to New York City, where he had charge of the 
estimates on the cost of plants. He left New York 
in the summer of 1892 and went to Kansas City, 
where he constructed the Kansas City Elevated 
Railroad in connection with J. G. White. Later 
he went to Alton and began the construction of 
the Alton plant. The organizers were J. G. White, 
A. M. Farnum, E. II. Harrison, G. II. Walbrldge 
and Mr. Porter. The plant was Incorporated in 
February, 1893, with a capital stock of *250,000, 
and the following officers: A. M. Farnum, Presi- 
dent; J. F. Porter, Vice-President and general 
manager; .). G. White, Treasurer; and J. II. White, 
Secretary'. 

The [uirpose of the plant Is to furnish electricity' 
for railroads and lights. The capacity of the plant 
is eight hundred horse-power, of whu'h three 
hundred Is devoted to light and the remainder to 
railioads and power. The building is a substan- 
tial brick structure, ninety-four feet square. The 
company has the right of way on the jirinelpal 
streets of Alton and Upper Alton, it being their 
intention to furnish ten miles of street railway. 
They have the contract to furnish Alton and 
North Alton with light, and also have contracts 
for the lighting of private places. The cost of the 
construction of the plant when com|)leted will be 
S'340,000. This enterprise will be an important 
factor In the growth of Alton, as it will furnish 
the city with a fine system of street railroads and 
ample facilities for light at low rates. 



At Monticcllo, Iowa, .Innc 27, 1888, Mr. Porter 
was uuiteil In marriage with Jennie R., daughter of 
Robert Henderson, and they became the parents of 
three children, Clyde II., Dugald G. and Mildred. 
The latter died July 27, 1894. In religious con- 
nections they are members of the Congregational 
Church. Mr. Porter is a Republican In politics 
and socially alliliates with the Masonic and Odd 
Fellows' orders and the Legion of Honor at St. 
Louis. He is thoroughly versed in all matters 
pertaining to the use of electricity for power and 
lights, and the construction of plants for the same, 
and his long experience eminently fits hira for his 
present position. 



\§L 



, _@) 



^OIIN D. DILLON owns a fertile farm in 
Fosterburgh Township, and is one of the en- 
terprising agrlcultuiists of this vicinity. He 
is a public-spirited man, who takes great 
interest in everything pertaining to its general 
welfare. Ills farm comprises one hundred and 
fort3'-two acres, which are all under cultivation. 

The subject of this notice is a native of Butler 
County, Ohio, wheie his birth occurred May 31, 
1817. He isason of Samuel and Elizabeth (Davis) 
Dillon, the father a native of Maryland; his fa- 
ther in turn was born in Belfast, Ireland, where 
he was a wealthy and intluential farmer. Samuel 
Dillon was a cooper by trade, and a soldier In the 
War of 1812. He was married in Pennsylvania. 
His wife was a native of that state, and was born 
during the Revolutionary War of Welsh parents. 
The father went to Butler County, Ohio, about 
1800 and landed in Cincinnati, where at that time 
he could have purchased any lot in the city for 
$5. He followed his trade In Ohio, and traveled 
some on the river with a Hat boat. He owned his 
boats and made trips to New Orleans witii [Hoduce. 
In 1829 the father of our subject migrated to 



.■t.') I 



POKTRAIT AND 15I00KA1MIICAL RKCORD. 



Iiiili:iii:i, ;iikI Idi'ulPil ill Kiisli Cuuiit}', wlieic lie 
nocleil a saw and yiisl mill. In 183;S lie came lo 
'ra/.i'wcll Count V, and ciij^aficd in llio mill hnsiiiess 
in I'lkin, wlicic he also kept a hoardini; liuiise. 
Tlu' jonrney was made in waj;ons and lu! iiri)uj;lit 
his family and all liis eaiUily I'lTocLs willi him from 
Indiana. From tlint place he came on a Hat bunt 
to .Vllon May 'i'-h 1 8.'!7, landing llic same day as 
did our suliji'cl, neilhcr knowing the other was 
comiiii,'. The father and his son William located 
(Ml Wood Kiver in this township, where they 
erected a saw mill, operatiiifi; it several years. The 
f.ithcr then moved to Alton and led a retired life 
until l»Ls death, which sad event occurred in July, 
IHCiO. lie was an old line Whif^ in politics, and 
while ill Ohio was Constable for years. The good 
wife and inotlier died in May, 1850, in Kostcrbiirgli 
Township. 

Our subject is one in a family of nine chil- 
dren born t<i his parents. They are, .lolin, Henry, 
Thomas, William, Humphrey, Samuel and Mary, 
who married Mathew Wilson, all of whom are 
deceased; Martha, now the wife of .Monroe W'il- 
cox, and our subject. He went to Indiana with 
his parents when eleven years of age, and was 
with them until reaching his (ifteenth year, when, 
in August, I8;J3, he went back to his native 
county and began to learn the trade of a black- 
smilli with his brother Henry. Two years later we 
liiid him in Tekin with his father; here he worked 
at his trade but a few months, and then, coining to 
Madison County, he worked in the mill with liis 
fattier until journeying to Alton. At this place 
lie worked at the trade of a blacksmith, in .lohn 
liates' shop, located on the .southwest corner of 
Third and State StrceUs. 

Again returning to Iluller County, Dliio, our 
subject leniaini'd but a short time when lie took 
up a permanent residence in this county. In IH12 
he bought fifteen acres of the land on which he 
now lives. At that time it was covered with tim- 
ber and brush, and he worked hard to clear and 
improve it. He erected a brick house, which was 
the first of il.s kind in the township, and a number 
of i'eais later replaced it with his present spacious 
brick residcnec. He is now the happy (lossessorof 
one hundred and forty-two acres, aboulseventy of 



which were improved when ln' bought it, and on 
this he is cng;iged in mi.\ed farming. 

The dale of the marriage of Mr. Dillon .•iiid 
Miss Nancy rruitl was November 21, IKl I. Mrs. 
Dillon is a daughter of .Solomon .and Kebecca 
(Higgins) I'ruilt, ami was born in Wood Kiver 
Township, this county. Her father came here in 
1806 from Knox County, Tenn., when there were 
plent}' of wild animals, and Indians were still 
numerous in this p:u't of the state. The pioneers 
were obliged to build stockades and ever be on 
the defensive against the savages, who were fre- 
quently (lUlte troublesome. Her father t\as a gal- 
lant Major in the Hlack Hawk War, and helped 
bury the white people who were killed near Alton. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Dillon were born nine chlldien, 
four of whom died young. The living are. John 
a traveling salesman; Ivebeeca, now Mrs. (leorge 
Skaggs, a resident of Iowa; .Millard I'"., a black- 
smith residing at Springlield, this sl.ate; Thoin.as, 
who lives at home, and Lillie, who makes her home 
in Springfield. Our subject and his estimable wife 
are nienibers of the liajitist Church, in which de- 
nomination the former holds the olliee of Deacon. 
In .Iiine, 1837, he erected the fust public black- 
smith shop ill this part of the county, and has fol- 
lowed that trade here for about thirty \ears. 

The original of this sketch is a natiir.'il musician, 
and has played on the life during evei\ campaign 
since the election of I'resident \\'illiaiii 11. Harri- 
son. He also plays the liddle, and for a period of 
thirty years played for social gatherings i n the 
vicinity. During the late war Mr. Dillon hcliied 
organize two companies, and was the enrolling 
ollicer of the township. .Socially, he is a ineinber 
of .Madison Lodge, A. !•". A- A. M., of Upper Alton, 
which he joined in 1856. This lodge was later con- 
solidated into the Franklin Lodge No. 25. He 
reached the Master Mason's degree, but is not an 
active member now. Politically, he was a strong 
Abolitionist, and later a stanch Kepublican. which 
ticket he always vtites. The responsilile olliee of 
Justice of the Peace ha* been tilled by him for a 
period of six years. 

Our subject is a warm advocate of the temper- 
ance cause, and does all in his power for its pro- 
motion. In his business dealings he has lieeu very 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPPIICAL RECORD. 



355 



successful, his good management, enterprise and 
fair :iiul upright course winning him :i handsome 
coniitetence, wliicli numbers iiim among the sub- 
stantial citizens of the community. 



'^-- 



=+ 




SjHOMAS HYNDMAN, an old and well 
known resident of Alton, and foreman of 

the round house of the Chicago & Alton 

Railroad, is a native of Scotland, havdng been born 
in A3'r, Ayrshire, April 7, 1829. lie is the son of 
Thomas and Agues (Crawford) Hyndman, also 
natives of the above shire, where the father was 
born in 1781. 

Thomas Hyndman, Sr., set sail for America in 
1857, locating at once at Alton. He was a silk 
weaver by trade and died in this city in Novem- 
ber, 1861. His good wife is also deceased, depart- 
ing this life in 1883. Thej^ were devout members 
of the Presbyterian Church, and became the par- 
ents of six children, those besides our subject be- 
ing, William; Agnes, now deceased; Robert; Jen- 
nie, the wife of Riciiard Jenkins, and James. 

The original of this sketch came to America in 
1854, locating in Alton, and joining his brothers 
William and Robert, who had come to the New 
World two 3'ears previously. Mr. Hyndman had 
learned the blacksmith's trade in his native land, 
beginning as an apprentice at the age of fifteen. 
Prior to this, however, he had attended the district 
school and learned his father's trade of silk weav- 
ing. After locating in this city he entered the 
blacksmith department of the Chicago & Alton 
Road, where he remained until about twelve years 
ago, when he was appointed foreman of the com- 
pany's round house, the position wliieli lie now 
holds. 

During the late war Mv. llyndiiian served in the 
Union army as blacksmith at Mound Citv. His 
brother William fought as a soldier in that conflict, 
and was with Sherman on his memorable march to 
the sea. Our subject was married July 4, 1861, to 
Mrs. Sarah (Graham) Woodsidc, a native of Coun- 
ty Antrim, Ireland, whence she went to Scotland 



when a maiden of sixteen years. Their union has 
been blessed by the birth of two children, Thomas, 
born June 26, 1865, and Frank, February 20,1860. 
The wife and mother departed this life April 1, 
1873. She was a devoted member of tlie Presby- 
terian Church, and a most estimable lady. 

In ])olitics our subject is a strong Republican, 
and has always taken an active part in local affairs. 
He served as Alderman from the Fourth Ward in 
1884, aeciuitling himself with great honor. During 
the late war he was made Captain of the Widea- 
wake Company, of Coal Ihancli, but was discharged 
from service on account of physical disability, and 
though not engaged in actual conflict, he did what 
he could, as he says, ''to help Uncle Abe." Mr. 
Hyndman is a prominent Mason, belonging to Pi- 
asa Lodge No. 27, of which he was Worshipful 
Master in 1871, and that year was present at the 
Grand Lodge which met in Chicago during the 
great fire. He is likewise a member of Chapter No. 
8, and is connected with the oldest Odd Fellows' 
lodge in the stale, called Western Star, No. 1. He 
has passed througii all the chairs of that order sev- 
eral times. He is one of the old and trusted offi- 
cers of the Chicago & Alton Road, and is identi- 
fied with that class of American citizens which the 
country takes just pride in honoring. 



-i**-5"3-,i 



— '•{••$• •$••5'^ 






EDWARD LEVIS, a member of the Illinois 
Glass Company and a prominent citizen of 
' Alton, was born in I'liiladelpliia, Pa., April 

5, 1820, and is the scin of Samuel and Mary (,Iohn- 
son) Levis, natives of Bucks County, Pa. His ma- 
ternal grandfather was a Captain in the War of 
the Revolution. Samuel Levis, though a baker by 
trade, was principally engaged in what was called 
coasting and was the owner of a farm in Bristol, 
Pa. Politically he advocated Democratic princi- 
ples. His death occnirred at Bristol in 1830. Ilis 
widow survived him many years, passing away in 
1869. 

In the parental family of eight children, seven 
attained years of maturity, namely: John, Sarah, 



356 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



(dcceascfl) Samut'l, Williiim, Josepli, Kdwaid, Mah- 
km :iii(t (ieorgo. The early days of our subject 
were spent at lioiiic, and his education was "gained 
in the common gcliools. In 1837, accompanied hy 
his brother Jose[)h, he came to Alton, where their 
older l)n>liier, William, had previously located. 
In I'lilladelphia he had commenced to learn the 
cari)entcr's trade, which he continued at Alton, 
being thus engaged much of the time for thirty 
years. For ten years he was engaged in the fur- 
niture business. 

Becoming connected with the Illinois Glass 
Company, Mr. Levis and William K. Smith pur- 
chased the plant, the former becoming Superin- 
tendent and the latter serving as President of the 
company. After two years spent on Belle Street, 
the works were removed to their present location 
on Second Street. Nine furnaces arc now oper- 
ated, each one having double the caijucil}' of those 
they started with. All kinds of bottles are manu- 
factured, including druggists' vials, bottles for 
liquors, etc., and the works are the largest of the 
kind in the world. Snda ash is piocured from 
Kuro|)e, and sand from Missouri, on the Missouri 
River. In connection with the works there is a 
box factory, where are manufactured all the boxes 
necessary for shipiung purpcjsos. The i)riucipal 
tnarkets for the |)ioducts are in tlie north and 
south, tliough large shipments are also made to the 
west. The plant covers about ten acres of land. 
Its output is al)out one million and a (juarter, and 
employment is given to perhaps sixteen liumhed 
hands. 

April 1, 1H4,'), Mr. J^evis married Mary Morlit, a 
native of England, and a (laughter of Hichard and 
Isabella Morlit. Their children are, Edward, of 
Alton; .Surah, now the wife of L. F. Cotter, of Chi- 
cago; George M., who succeeded his father .as Su- 
perinlcndent of the glass works; ,Iolin M., who 
has charge ol the company's business in Chicago; 
Charles, who has charge of the home oilice; Robert 
II., who superiiilends the business in St. Louis; 
I'lank, Su()eriiilendent (jf the manufacturing de- 
partment, and Nelson, who is employed in the 
olllce. 

In politics a K< pMhlican, Mr. Levis has taken an 
active interest in public affairs and has served as a 



member of the City Council, Supervisor of the 
township, and a member of the School Board. 
Ilis sons are also ardent Republicans. The family 
is idcntilied with the Methodist Church. During 
his long residence in Alton he has contributed 
largely to the development of the city, and stands 
high in the estimation of the |>eoplc. It is a rare 
thing to sec a father with so many sons closely 
idcntilied with the same business, all working to- 
gether harmoniously and all holding so completely 
the conlidencc of the general head. 




<x+*^H'-M^^+++*i*++iH'++++*+++5C> 



UGUST F. MILLER, a proMiinonl resident 
of Alton, and the present Alderman from 
the Fifth Ward, was born in this city 
^fj .lune 11, l^(62, and is a son of Charles E. 

and Mar^' E. (iMa\er) Miller. Ilis father, who was 
a native of (iermany, emigrated to the United 
States in 1842, and for a time sojourned in New 
Orleans. Thence he e.-ime northward to St. Louis 
and from there to Alton, arriving in the latter 
city in 1853. He became a prominent citizen of 
this place, where he was engaged in the distillery 
and rectifying business. Ilis political belief 
brought him into active connection and co-opera- 
tion with the Republican party. After having 
ma<le Alton his home for a perio<l of twenty years 
he p.asscd away, .lanuary 22, 1873. His widow 
still survives him, and remains a resident of this 
city. 

In the parental family there were eight children, 
of wlK)in six are now living, as follows: Mary, the 
wife of W. B. Rose; August F., of this sketch; 
Lulu, who married T. II. IIofTman; Louis, of the 
Ilapgood Plow Works; Frank, who is connected 
with the tire department of Alton, and Charles, 
likewise a resident of this place. In the common 
schools the subject of this sketch gained ;i practi- 
cal education, and to the knowledge there obtained 
he has added by self-culture and observation. His 
father dying when he was small, he was early 
obliged to bectmie .self-supporting, and thus were 
developed in his character the traits of industry, 




ZEPHANIAH SII.VKR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



359 



perseverance and energy, which have since con- 
tributed to his success. 

For ten years Mr. Rlillor was coiiiiectod with 
the tire department of Alton, and during a por- 
tion of tliis time he was assistant chief. In 18'J3 
lie started in the liquor l)usincss for himself on 
Second fStreet, in which he still continues. lie is 
cue of the stockholders of the Alton Packing and 
Refrigerating Company, and is connected with 
other leading enterprises of the city. In i)olities 
he afliliates with the Democratic party. In Ai)ril 
of 181)1 he was nominated on the citizen's ticket 
for Alderman from the Fifth Ward, and was 
elected over two other candidates who ran on the 
same ticket, no nominations having Ijoen liiade. 
He has taken an active part in the politics of the 
city, and is a leader in the ranks of his party. 

Decendjcr 1 i, 1887, Mr. Miller w.as united in 
marriage at Alton, 111., with Miss Minnie Funk. 
Three children blessed this union, Mary .Stella, 
Frank and August. On the 10th of June, 1891, 
the family was deeply bereaved by the loss of the 
youngest child, August, who passed awa^' after a 
brief illness. Socially, Mr. Jliller is identified with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, l)elonging 
to Western Star No. 1. Having been ellicient in 
business transactions, he has accumulated a valua- 
ble pro[)erty, and is numbered among the well-to 
do citizens of the place. 



Gi 



Ly- 



j^ 



^&^ 



^ 



• liPIIANIAll SILVER, who has a fine estate 
in Wood River Township, is one of the 
wealthy farmers and stock-raisers of the 
county. He is a native of West Virginia, having 
been born in Berkeley County, March 13, 1839. 
His jiarents were Zephaniah and Martha .1. (llin- 
shaw) Silver, natives of Virginia, and his grand- 
parents were Francis and Anna B. (Bell) Silver. 
The giaiidfatlior was born in Pennsylvania, while 
his father came from the Highlands of Scotland 
and located in the Keystone State prior to the 
U 



Revolutionary War. In that conflict he took a 
very active part, spending large sums of money in 
aid of the Ct)lonists. He was the owner of famous 
springs in that state which bore his name. 

The grandfather of our subject was well edu- 
cated, and followed farm pursuits the greater i)art 
of his life, although for some time he was the 
owner and proprietor of an hotel at Bunker Hill, 
Berkeley Couutj', W. Va. In that state he married 
Miss Bell, and b}' her had three children, of whom 
the father of our subject was the eldest. The 
otheis were Ann, the wife of Warner McKovvn, a 
farmer of Frederick County, Va., and Lucy E., 
who married Benjamin Jefferson, also an agricult- 
urist of that i)lace. They are all deceased. 

When twenty-four years of age Ze[)haniali Silver 
married Martha J., daughter of Hiram llinshaw. 
She was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., and was 
of Welsh descent. By her union with Mr. Silver 
she reared a family of eight children, namely: 
Francis, deceased, formerly a farmer in the Old 
l)omiiii(jn; Hiram, engaged in the hardware busi- 
ness in Winfield, Cowley County, Kan.; Zephaniah, 
of this sketch; Henry C, a ranchman in Dixon 
Cal.; Anna B., the wife of Hamilton llinshaw, a 
fanner of Berkeley County, W. Va.; .lohn JI., of 
Fretlerick County, Va., where he has been a mem- 
ber of the legislature, sheriff, editor, merchant and 
farmer; Ruth E., Mrs. Eugene Orear, who also 
makes her home in the above county, and William 
E., deceased. The mother was a devoted nieml)er 
of the Presbyterian Church and a most estimable 
and lovable lady. 

The father of our subject spent his entire life in 
his native state and made farming his life work. 
During the late war, at the time of the raid thrinigli 
the Shenandoah Valley, he lost nearly all his per- 
sonal property. He was a strong Unionist in sen- 
timent, 3'et took no part in the conllict. He de- 
parted this life in 1875, at the age of seventy-two 
years. His wife survived him many years, dying 
in 18'J1, when in her eighty-first year. 

Our subject remained at home until the outbreak 
of the late war, when he enlisted In the Confederate 
army, as a member of Captain Dodge's Comiiany. 
He was three months later transferred to Captain 
BiUser's Cavalry, and served with the southern 



360 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



;iniiy for llircc yciirs, duiinj; which lime lie was 
iu'viT wouikUmI or Uikoii piisuiicr. He liad llirec 
liroUnTs who ulso fouj^lit with the "huys in gray." 

On lliu eslablishmeiil of peace Mr. .Silver re- 
tui'iu-tl hoiiic, and in the fall of IMOo came west to 
Illinois, locatinii in Alton. Here lie l)Cgan at the 
bottom round of the ladder, lindint; liis first eni- 
|(loynienl with a surveyintf party on the Ciiicagu 
iV Alton l\ailroad. Afterward he became a student 
in Shurtlcff College, and upon completing his edu- 
cation l)egan working on the farm of Z. B. Job, in 
whose employ' he remained for nine years. Witli 
the ^1,000 which iiis fathei- had given him, and an 
addition of ^2,000, lie purchased sixty-one acres of 
land on W(jod Kiver. On this, however, he did 
not settle, but when ready to engage in farm pur- 
suits for himself, bought ninety-seven acres now 
included in his present estate. This was mostly 
unimproved property- when it came into )iis pos- 
session, but the firsl-class buildings which lie has 
erected on it, together with the line stock and 
machinery, make of it one of the linest homes in 
the county. He also owns ninety-two acres in an- 
other part of the township, together with a thirty- 
acre tract. 

Socially our subject is a member of Franklin 
Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M., in Upper Alton, 
and also belongs to the chapter and commander^'. 
In politics he is a Democrat. In 1876 and 1877 
he served as Collector of Wood River Townsliip, 
to which position he was chosen in 1891 and 1892. 
He is the present Supervisor of the Township, and 
is discharging the duties of the position in a most 
credible manner. 






^i^ AVID R. SPARKS. One of the most popu- 
I Jl) lar and ))rominent men of southern Illi- 
nois is the subject of this sketch. He 
was born in Harrison County-, Ind., Octo- 
ber 15, 1823, to Baxter and Flizabeth (Gwin) 
Sparks, natives of ^■irginia. His paternal grand- 
fallier, Thomas .Sparks, w.-js a descendant of Eng- 



lish ancestiy, while the Gwins were of Scotch- 
I rish origin. 

In 1830, wiieii our subject was a lad of about 
seven years, the family came to Illinois and set- 
tled on a farm near Staunton. Here he grew to 
manhood and began his milling career. At first 
he tiperated an old stone mill, the capacity of 
which was seventy barrels. Later a iMr. Lest was 
taken into partnership, and the capacity was in- 
creased to one hundred and twenty-five barrels per 
day. In 1803-64 the tirin built a mill in Litch- 
field, commencing to operate it in August of the 
latter year. Two hundred and fifty barrels were 
turned out daily, and the business proved very 
successful. 

The next venture made by Mr. Sparks was the 
purch.'ise of the Alton National Mill, which had 
been erected in 1857 by S. and A. I'. Wise. It had 
a capacity of four hundred barrels, and was the 
largest mill in the state at the time. In order to 
be near his milling interests, Mr. .Sparks came to 
Alton, and here he has since resided. In 1881 he 
purchased his partner's interest, increased the capa- 
city of the mill and introduced the roller system. 
Two years later, in order to supply tlie constantly 
increasing demand for his popular brand of Hour, 
he increa.sed the capacity of his mill to eight hun- 
dred barrels, and subsequently it was further in- 
creased to fifteen hundred barrels [ler day. 

The mill is situated on Second Street on the 
banks of the Mississijjpi. The building is four 
stories higli, about one hundred and fifty feet deep 
and one hundred feet wide. It was organized 
into a stock company as the .Sparks ISIilling Com- 
pany, with D. R. Sparks as President; F. K. Mil- 
nor, Vice-President; II. 15. Sparks, .Secretary; W. 
B. Sparks, (Jeneral jManager; W. L. Sparks, Treas- 
urer; and Charles F. Sparks, mechanical engineer 
and superintendent of the ineclianlcal department. 
J. H. Aldous IS the head miller. The Hour is 
known throughout the United States and in many 
European countries, and never fails to give .satis- 
faction. 

In the management of the mill, Mr. Sparks h.-u* 
been very i)rogressive, ever seeking any new 
method that would improve theijuality of his man- 
ufacture. For ten years he was I'resiiieiil of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



361 



Illinois Millers' Association. lie was the origina- 
tor of the millers' mutual iusunince system. At 
the Millers' National Associ:ition, which assembled 
at St. Louis in June, 1874, he clearly anil forcibly 
l)resented his ideas on tliis subject, which were sub- 
sequently adopted, and he held the first policy is- 
sued by the Millers' Jvational Insurance Company. 
He was among the first to introduce the roller sjs- 
tera into this section of the country, and were the 
first to use the purifier. 

Another feature showing' the progressive spirit 
of the Spaiks Milling Company and the foresight 
of its founder, was the movement to open up a 
trade with foreign countries. Several other mill- 
ers were associated with him in this enterprise. 
An agent was sent abroad to the great flour mar- 
kets of the world, and arrangements were made 
for a large export trade, which were subsequently 
successfully' carried out. 

While our subject has been giving his attention 
to the development ot the milling industry, he has 
not neglected his duty to his country in the time 
of need. When the war between the United .States 
and Mexico broke out, he was twent3'-eiglit years 
of age. Offering his services to his country, he 
enlisted in 1847, and was mustered out the follow-* 
ing year. At the opening of the Rebellion, he was 
again read^' to shoulder his musket for the cause 
of the Union. He became a member of the Third 
Illinois Cavalry, and served two and a-lialf y<:ars, 
taking an active i)ait in several hard-fought bat- 
tles, among which were Pea Ridge (where he was 
wounded), Aikausas Post, Champion Hills, ISlack 
River, the siege of Vicksburg and the cai)turc of 
Jackson. On account of ill health he was obliged 
to resign in December, 1863. 

In politics Captain Sparks is a stalwart Reiiub- 
lican, and as such was a member of the Thirty- 
sixth Legislature, wheie he distinguished himself 
for his wise and able advocacy of measures tend- 
ing to the benefit of the state. One remarkable 
feature connected with the family history of our 
subject is that his sons are all associated with their 
father iu the milling business, to the development 
of which he has devoted a lifetime. Each son has 
charge of a certain deijartuicnt, to which he gives 
his special attention, and in this way the machin- 



ery of the great business moves on harmoniously 
and successfully. 

The Captain is still active and maintains a gen- 
eral supervision over his large interests. lie is 
widely known for his benevolence, his greatness of 
heart and his honoral)le dealings. The measure 
of his usefulness can hardly be estimated. It is 
men like him that build up communities, develop 
the resources of the country and advance the state. 






iIIOMAS J. BARNSRACK, deceased, was 
(^^ formerly one of the well-to-do agricultur- 
ists of Madison County, owning a good es- 
tate in Pin Oak Township. He was a native of 
this county and the son of Julius Erederick 
Barnsback, who was born in Germany in 1781. 
Sixteen years later he emigrated to the United 
States, landing in Philadelphia, whence he re- 
moved to Kentucky. The lady to whom he was 
married about 1808 was Miss Mary, a daughter of 
Thomas Minter. Erom the Blue Grass State he 
came with his family to Illinois, settling in St. 
Clair County in 180'.). At this time there were 
but two counties, St. Clair and Randoliih, organ- 
ized within the limits of the state. 

The parental family of our subject incluilcd the 
following ten children: .lacob J., George J., AVill- 
iam J., .bihii .1.. Thomas J., Hannah J., Henrietta 
J., Maiianiia J., Julius J. and Isabella J. The 
children and graiid-chibhen of the family above 
given make a large i)roportion of the po|)ulation 
of this section of Madison County. 

The original of this sketch was married January 
13, 1842, to jMiss Nancy J., daughter of William 
Montgomery, and to them was born a family of six 
children: John, Sarah Elizabeth, Julia Ann, Jere- 
miah, Lucy Jane and Eaniiy. The husband and fa- 
ther de[)arted this life March i), 1 880. He was very 
successful as an agriculturist, and by good manage- 
ment and industry accumulated a handsome prop- 
erty. He made a specialty of stock-raising and in 
that particular line of business was of great beneQt 



362 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



to liis county, introducing many line liioods in lioth 
liorsi's and calUc. lie was a man of miicli strcni^lli 
of cliaiacler and had a kind and loviny disposition. 
He was averse to speculations of any character, 
liul dc'votod his entire time and attention to his 
farm pursuits. He ^avc lil)erally of liis means to 
nil good objects, and his fellow-townsmen ever 
found liim sympathetic and generous wiicre ciiarity 
was needed. In his political belief he was a Re- 
publican and took great interest in local and na- 
tional affairs. 



^_j^KNRY IIOLTMANN, a p>ominent and in- 

[1 lluential farmer residing on section 20, Pin 




Oak 'rownshii), is a native of Oermany, his 
ij^) birth occurring on the 3d of Aprd, 1829. 
He is the son of John II. and Anna (rotteliaum) 
Iloltmann, likewise natives of the Fatherland, 
where the fatiier followed tiie trade of a carpenter. 
The elder I\Ir. Iloltmann departed this life when 
our sid)jecl w.-is a hul of six years, and in 181'J the 
latter emigrated to America accompanied by his 
n)olhcr and two other members of the family. 
They embarked on a sailing-vessel in Bremen and 
were eight weeks in making the passage to New 
Orleans. Thence they journeyed up the Missis- 
sippi to St. Louis, Mo., in which city the mother 
died at the age of sixty-two 3'ears. 

While residing in the Mound City Mr. Iloltmann, 
of this sketch, was married, April 17, 18oJ, to Miss 
Johanna Windmeier, who was also of German birth 
and the daughter of Henry N. and Christina Wind- 
meier, wlio spent their entire lives in that country. 
I5y her union with our subject there were born 
eleven children, of wlujui those living are, Johanna, 
Tillie, Otto, Lydia, George and (iuslav. 

Mrs. Johanna Iloltmann made the trip across 
the Atlantic when a young lady of twenty-one 
years, and like our subject, she too landed in the 
Crescent City. They met and married in St. Louis, 
soon after which event the young couple made their 
way to this county and rented and operated a farm 
for several yeai's. Their next move was to Mis- 



souri, where they were also engaged as agricultur- 
ists for a twelvemonth, and in 18.58 we find them 
again in this county. Mr. Iloltmann had by this 
time saved a sum of money which enabled him to 
become the owner of property, and purchasing 
eighty acres, added to it from time to time until 
at the present writing we take pleasure in staling 
that he is the owner of a valuable estate of three 
hundred and thirty acres. He has been liolh prac- 
tical and progressive, and his well tilled fields yield 
to him a golden tribute for the care and labor he 
has bestowed upon them. He has many excellent 
improvements upon his place, which indicate his 
thrift, and he ever keeps abreast with the times in 
matters pertaining to his vocation. 

Mr. Iloltmann is a believer in Republican prin- 
ciples and is regarded by all as one of the valued 
citizens of the community. Together with his 
wife and family he is a devoted member of the 
Evangelical Church, with which he has been con- 
nected for many years. The high position which 
Mr. Iloltmann occupies among the residents of this 
section is due in a large measure to his excellent 
wife, who h.as aided him greatly and can truly be 
called a helpmate. 



^>^^<^ 



&=^ 



'^^^ 



OllN V. IlOFKMEISTER, who owns one of 
the finest fruit farms in Madison County, is 
a native of Switzerland, having been born 
in the canton of IJasle, August 1, 1813. He 
was the sou of Christopher and Elizabeth (Reb- 
maii) Hoffmeisler, the former a native of Wiirtem- 
berg, Germany. He was a cooper by trade and 
when a young man went to Switzerland and for 
seventeen years followed his calling, during that 
period being in the; employ of only two men. 

Christopher Hoffineister was married in 1812, 
and upon leaving Switzeiland returned to tJer- 
many and there followed coopering until 1832, 
when he crossed the Atlantic bound for the New 
World. He lirst located with his famjiy in Phila- 
delphia, but in 183!) came to Alton, and retiring 
from active life, spenU the remainder of his days in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



363 



the home of our subject. He passed away when in 
liis sixt3'-sixtli year, being survived by liis good 
wife, wlio died at the age of sixty-six. They were 
both exemplary members of the Lutlieran Cliurch, 
talking an active interest in the cause of Cinis- 
tianity. 

John F. was tlie eldest of the parental family of 
five children, his brothers and sisters being, Cathe- 
rine, who died unmarried when seventy-two years 
of age; Christopher F., who died with yellow fever 
in New Orleans in 1852, whither he had located 
after the close of the Mexican War, in which he 
participateci; Louisa K., who was the wife of Charles 
H. Fox, but is now also deceased; and Caro- 
line, now the wife of Valentine Walters, of Omaha, 
Neb. 

The original of this sketch received his educa- 
tion in the schools of (iermany, and after reaching 
a sufficient age learned the coojier's trade from his 
father. This he followed for a time after going 
to Philadelphia but soon abandoned it to engage 
in the bakery business. After the removal of the 
family to Alton our subject owned a bakery, and 
was thus einplo.yed until 1852. The previous year 
he had purchased his present farm. The only im- 
provement which the latter tract bore was a little 
slab house, which has long since given w.ay to a 
handsome brick residence. Mr. Iloffmeister gives 
much attention to the raising of fruits, not how- 
ever, to the neglect of grain and stock-raising. 

In 1837 Mr. Iloffmeister was united in marriage 
with Miss Theckia Walter, the daughter of Fran- 
cis Walter, a native of Germany, where also our 
subject's wife was born. Their union has resulted 
in the birth of nine children. Francis, who now 
has charge of his father's farm, is one of the most 
enterprising and pros|)erous fruit growers of Mad- 
ison County; Louise was the wife of James P. Tan- 
soj', deceased; Amelia is the wife of C. AV. I5rown, 
and resides in Kansas Cit}', Mo.; Caroline, who 
also makes her home in Kansas City, is the wife of 
L. N. Brown; F. AV. married Mi.ss Emma P. Arm- 
strong, of Alton, where they now reside; G. K. mar- 
ried Miss Christine Houck, of Golden City, Mo., 
and they make their home in that city; Emma is at 
home with her parents; Annetta is Mrs. B. I. fJil- 
man, of Texas; and Mariah also resides with her 



father. The wife and mother departed this life 

July 3, 1888. 

In politics our subject is and has always been a 
stanch Democrat. He takes a deep interest in 
fruit growing, and has the honor of being the or- 
ganizer of the first horticultural society in Madi- 
son County. 



£)^e: 



^^\ HAULER H. GOLIKE, an enterprising agri- 
(l( culturist, owns a fertile farm in Fosterbiirgh 

"^Jy Township, where he is actively engaged in 
its cultivation. His father, Henry Golike, was 
born in Germany and was a tailor by trade, which 
occupation he began when a boy of eighteen years. 
He served in the German arm3' for a period of 
three years, and was married in that country to 
Miss Minnie Doese, who bore him eleven children; 
two were born in Germany: Henry, now deceased, 
and Minnie, who is the wife of II. Keiser. Of the 
nine children born after coining to America, three 
are dead. The living are: Mary, Mrs. Fred Baker; 
Charles II.; Martha E., Mrs. E. PMliott; David, a 
resident of FL Madison, Iowa; Joseph, who makes 
his home in St. Charles County, Mo., and Lewis, 
who lives in this count}'. 

The father of our subject came to the United 
States in 1840, and immediately located in St. 
Louis, where he carried on his trade for the follow- 
ing two years. He then came to Madison County 
and purchased a tract of forty acres near that of 
our subject. In the year 1861, Mr. Golike, Sr., en- 
listed in Company A, Ninet3'-second Illinois In- 
fantry. He was in the fight at Vicksburg and six 
months later was honorably discharged on account 
of pliysical disability. He again made bis home 
in this county until 1870, in which year he passed 
to the land be3'ond. He was a devoted member of 
the Baptist Church. 

Charles II. Golike was born April 9, 1854, in 
Macoupin County, III. He received a common- 
school education in this county, and early learned 
the duties of farm work. He remained with his 
mother on the old homestead until his marriage, and 
in the meantime followed the trade of a butcher six 



364 



PORTRAIT AND HIOORAPIITCAT, RECORD. 



years in Alton fdi (itlur |i<'ii|ili\ Mini ImIci owiud 
a shop of his own. 

In DccenihiT, 1S7H, Mr. (iolikc rind Miss Car- 
rie Ilinze were nnited in niarriai,'<' in I'eoria. Mrs. 
Oolike w;is a dansjhter of t'liarles and Carrie 
Ilin/.e and bore her luisliand two children, llenrv 
and llnhla. She died in ISS.'i, and soon afterward 
onr sulijccl was a seeond lime married, takinij; as iiis 
life companion Mi.ss Minnie Winters, a daiiyhler 
of .lohn ;ind Margaret (Ilcnsel) Winters. I5y this 
union fonr children were boin, whom they named 
I*"sther, Herbert, Homer and Rakes. 

Mr. (iolikc located on his present farm shortly 
after his first marriage and has since made his 
borne here, his landed possessions comprising sev- 
enty-eight acres of finely tilled land. lie and his 
worthy wife are valned members of tiie liaplist 
Church al Kosterbnrgli, in which denomination the 
former h.as held various oHicial positions. Politi- 
cally he casts his vote for the man rather than the 
party, and is honored and respected in the comnni- 
nity where he resides. 



' — ^i 



H. 



ym 



Vj^DWARI) CLAHK l.KMKN, M. I)., a lead- 
fe) '"" physician of Madison County and a 
j*}_zs£- resident of I'pper Alton, was born in St. 
Clair County, III., .Inly 20,1812. The family of 
which lie is an honored member originated in 
Scolhuid. During the Commonwealth they were 
adherents of Crtmiwell, and under his rule they 
removed to and settled in tiie North of Ireland. 
At a later ))eriod three brothers of the .Scotch- 
Irish branch settled in Virginia, and Rev. James 
Lenien, .Sr., born in ^■irginla in 1760, was a .son 
of one of these brothers. 

The lady whom Rev. Mr. Lcmen married in the 
Old Dominion in 1783 was Katherinc Ogle, daugh- 
ter of Capt. Joseph Ogle, who was commissioned 
a Capt^iin in the War for Independence. The fol- 
lowing is a cfipy of his commission: 
"7A'.s Exrpllenaj Patrick Henry, Jr., E.tcj., Oovernnr 
of the Commonwealth of Virrjinia. 
"To JosKi'H OfiLK, lis<j.: I5y virtue of powci' and 
authority to nie delegated i)y the (ieneral Con- 



venliiui of Ihc IJcpreseiilat i vi'S uf the people of 
this Common wealth, I, reposing especial trust and 
conlidence in your patriotism, courage, lidelity 
and good ciuiiluct, do by and with the advice of 
the I'rivy Council, by these present-s, constitute 
and appoint \du to be Captain of militia in the 
county of Ohio. You are therefore (•.■ircfully and 
diligently to discharge the <luty of Captain of 
the militia by doing and performing all manner 
of things thereunto belonging; and you are to 
pay a ready obedience to all orders and instruc- 
tions which from time to time you may receive 
from the Convention, I'riv}' Council or any of 
your superior ollicers, agreeable to the rules and 
regulations of the ('(Hivenlion or General A.ssem- 
bly, and to reijiiire all ollicers and soldiers under 
your command to l)e obedient and to aid yon in 
the execution of this commission, according to the 
intent and purpose thereof. 

"(liven under my hand and .seal, at Williams- 
burg, this second day of June, 1777. 

(Signed) P. Ilnxin. Ji:. " 

The Ogle family was one of considerable prom- 
inence in the early histor3'of England. In feudal 
ages they built a castle in Nortlnnnberland Coun- 
ty, the ruins of which are yet to l>e seen. John 
Ogle, a descendant of the younger Lord Ogle, 
who with his wife, Klizabeth, settled in Delaware 
the latter part of the sixteenth century, was the 
great-grandfather of Capt. Joseph Ogle. Rev. 
James Loinen, Sr., was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary War under General W.asliington, and was 
present at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered 
to the American forces and their French allies. 
One of our subject's great-grandmothers, Margaret 
.Stockton, who married John Pulliani in Virginia in 
177'l, was a relative of Richard Stockton, a signer 
of the Declaration of Independence. 

As early .as 1786 Rev. James Lcmen, Sr., mi- 
grated to Illinois and settled near Kaskaskia, be- 
coming one of the very earliest Haplist preachers 
in the state. His son. Rev. James Lemen, Jr., was 
the second white child born in the territory of 
Illinois, and w.as a minister of the Baptist Church. 
A man of prominence in his locality, he w.a.s a 
member of the lirst constitutional convention 
representing St. Clair County, in assembly met at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



365 



Kaskaskia in 1818. In 1820 lie represented his 
district in the Legislature, and in 1822 was a 
candidate lor the position of Lieutenant-Oovernor, 
but suffered defeat with the remainder of the Whig 
ticket. His death occurred in April, 1870. 

Rev. James Lemen, Jr., was born in Monroe 
County, 111., October 8, 1787, and on the 8th of 
December, 1813, married Miss Mary Pilliam, a na- 
tive of Richmond, Va. She w.as born April 27, 
1794, and pasted from earth February 23, 1876. 
Three j'Cars after their marriage a sou was born to 
them, November 5, 1816, whom they named Syl- 
vester, and who became our subject's father. 
Throughout his entire life he followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer, and was thus engaged at the 
time of his death, which occurred in Belleville, 
111., September 28, 1872. A Whig during the ex- 
istence of that party, he became identified with 
the Republican party at its organization, and ad- 
vocated its principles until his death. During the 
late war he served as Provost-Marshal of St. Clair 
and Clinton Counties. Jn his religious belief he 
followed in the footsteps of his forefathers and 
supported the doctrines of the Baptist Church. 

The wife of S3'lvester Lemen, like himself, was 
a native of St. Clair County. She bore the maiden 
name of Susan Shook and was a member of a pio- 
neer family of Illinois, whose first representatives 
in this state came hither from Pennsylvania and 
Iwcaine people of note in St. Clair County. After 
a long and useful life she passed away. Her 
children were nine in number. 

In boyhood our subject alternated work on the 
home farm with attendance at the district schools. 
At the age of eighteen he commenced to teach 
school, which he continued for two winter seasons. 
August 12, 1862, at the .age of twenty, he en- 
listed for the defense of his country, and was 
mustered into service at Camp Butler September 
19, 1862. Appointed P^ourth Sergeant of Com- 
p.au}- I, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry, he was detailed as Color-Sergeant, in 
which capacity he served for one year. On the 
lOlh of Ma3% 1864, he was commissioned First 
Lieutenant of the company, and occupied that 
position until the close of the war. 

From Camp Butler our subject went to Mem- 



phis, Tenn., and for about one year was assigned 
to garrison and picket duty. He took part in 
the campaign under General Sherman, and upon 
his return to Vicksburg took part in the expedi- 
tion up the Red River in the Sixteenth Army 
Corps, commanded by A. J. Smith. Later he par- 
ticipated in the skirmish at Ft. De Russy, also the 
battles of Pleasant Hill and Yellow Bayou. Re- 
turning from that disastrous exi)edition, the regi- 
ment joined Rosecians and went on the campaign 
after Price in Missouri. Thej' then joined Gen- 
eral Thomas and actively engaged in the battle 
of N.ashville in December, 1864. From that city 
they pursued Hood, whom they drove out of 
Tennessee. 

After several battles and skirmishes, our subject 
took part in the siege of Mobile and Ft. Blakely 
under General Canb}'. He then went into camp 
at Montgomery, Ala., where he was mustered out 
August 15, 1865. At Camp Butler he was paid 
off and discharged. It is worthy of note that, 
though active in many engagements and always 
at the front with his regiment, he was never 
wounded nor taken prisoner. The war ended, he 
entered Shurlleff College, and after one year spent 
there became a student in the Rush Medical Col- 
lege, at Chicago, where he remained one year. He 
then pursued his studies in the St. Louis Medical 
College, from which he was graduated in 1868. 

Opening an office at Pana, III., the Doctor con- 
ducted practice there for two years. In 1870 he 
removed to Upper Alton, where he has since re- 
sided. Soon after coming to this place he was 
chosen a member of the Board of Trustees of 
Shurtleff College, which position he still holds, 
having served as President of the Board for two 
years. For six years he was President of the 
Upper Alton School Board. For a number of 
years he has officiated as President of the Board 
of Trustees of the village, and is still the incum- 
bent of the office. He is also Major Surgeon of 
the Western Military Academy. 

In all matters connected with his profession Dr. 
Lemen maintains an intelligent interest, and for 
some time served as President of the Madison 
County Medical Societj', of which he is still a 
a member. Politically a Republican, he has served 



36G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



as a flolco;ate to county aiul congressional conven- 
tions. In rolifjioi) lie is a Haptist. Socially, he 
alliliales willi Kiankliu ixxljjc! and Cliaiiler, and 
Uelvidcre Comniandeiy, A. K. ife A. M., and also 
liclonjjs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
On the itth of .liine, IHGS, Dr. Lemcn married 
Mi.ss .Susan P., daughter of Rev. Ebcnezcr.and Pcr- 
mclia (.I.ickson) Rodgers, early settlers of Upper 
Alton, having come hither from Tennessee and 
Missouri respeelivcli'. Three children were horn 
of this union, of whom Cora M.ay died in infancy. 
The others are. Harry Rodgers, a physician of 
Carrolllon, III., and Mary, who is pursuing her 
studies tiiKliT private instructors, ])reparatory to 
entering Monticello Seminary. The family occu- 
pies a beautiful home, tlic product of the Doctor's 
taste and culture. Tlie residence is commodious 
and sulislantial in its construction, and is sur- 
ruiindcd liy ample grounds, ornamented by beau- 
tiful shade trees, which were planted by Dr. Lemen. 
lie is of large mould and pleasing address. Through 
his winning manners and genialitj' of disposition 
he has won the friendshi|) of his .associates, and .as 
a citizen he is highly esteemed. He is dev()te<1 to 
his pr<pfi'ssion, in wiiicli, through skill and broad 
knowledge, he h.as been eminently successful. 



^>-*<l 




',?^ai/TTEN SMITH NIXON. To the .stranger 
visiting the Alton of to-day, the history of 
the city must possess great interest. From 
a few log huls, destitute of all cf>mforts except mere 
shelter, to the solidly built, handsome, wealthy 
meti'opolis of a rich region, with all the evidences 
of culture and progress, is a very long step indeed. 
This has been the case in the history of Alton, 
wliich is noted for the sterling integrity, untiring 
industry and progressive tendencies of its inhab- 
itants. The gentleman who has done perhaps .as 
much as any other toward the beautifying of the 
city is I'. S. iS'ixon, a leading architect and pro- 
gressive citizen. 

Horn in the village of Volcano, Cal., April 2'2, 
IHCl. our subject is the son of William and (ieorgi- 



ana (Smith) Nixon. His father was born in Eng- 
land A])ril 14, 1820, and came to America when 
about twenty years of .age. On arriving in the 
United States he came direct to Illinois, and arriv- 
ing in Madison County, settled near Alton. For 
ft time he eng.aged as clerk in a mercantile estab- 
lishment, and later opened a store in Alton, becom- 
ing one of the earliest merchants of the place. Af- 
ter twelve years thus s|)ent, he sold out, his licallh 
having failed, and went to California in hope of 
regaining his former strength. Remaining there 
from 1H;)8 until 1863, he ret\irned thence to Al- 
ton and died a few days later at the Coal Branch 
near this city. 

In politics, William Nixon identified himself 
with the Rei)ublicans, and took an intelligent in- 
terest in iniblic affairs. His religious connections 
were with the Episcopal Church. In the Masonic 
order he attained a high degree, and was quite 
{•rominent. Both as a business man and as a citi- 
zen he was liighly regarded by all who knew him. 
In his death Madison County lost a typical (titizen. 
Starting in life with nothing hut his own tidents 
and upright character with which to make his way, 
he achieved success as a merchant, and in that 
which he valued above all else — the respect and 
confidence of his fpUow-citizens. His death, at so 
early an age, deprived the community of a valu- 
able promoter of the prosperity of the city. 

The mother of our subject was born in Ixindon, 
England, and came wiMi her parents to the United 
Stjites when about two years of age. She now 
makes her home in Alton with her youngest sfin, 
Robert I). In religious belief she is identified 
with the Ciiml)erland Presbyterian Church. Her 
ehihlren were five in number, of whom four at- 
tained mature years, namely : William, who is with 
the Alton Box Factory in .St. Louis; Katherine, 
wife of .1. F. Bunn, Ca.shier of the Springlicld (III.) 
Stiite National Bank; Utten Smith and Robert 
(twins). After the death of William Nixon, his 
widow married James Hawkins, by whom she had 
j two children, Mai and Rose, liotli of whom reside 
in Alton. 

After coinplcling his studies in the public 
' schools of St. I.ouis, our subject learned the trade 
I of a carpenter, which he followed for a time. He 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



367 



then studied architecture under the tutelage of 
the successful architect, Lucas rfeiffenberger, and 
afterward tooif up the profession for himself. His 
ability in this line is universally recognized, and 
his services have been called into requisition in 
different parts of the state. One of the many 
handsome churches of Chicago was erected from 
his plans, and ho has also designed other substan- 
tial public and private buildings. 

June .'), 1800, Mr. Nixon was united in mar- 
riage with Mary, daughter of Robert and Julia 
Crielincil) Kennedj', old and prominent residents 
of Madison County. Two children blessed the 
union, Mary and Georgiana, of whom the latter 
died June 14, 1894. Socialh% Mr. Nixon is a 
member of the Masonic order, and politically he 
advocates the jirinciples of the Republican party. 
He is a man of genial manners, and enjoys the 
confidence of his fellow-citizens. 



(Wp 

^^M' 



lEV. JUSTUS BULKLEY, who is Professor 
of Church History and Polity in Shurt- 
'^^\\\\ leff College, has held that position since 
*^@) 1866. He has been a minister of the Gos- 
pel since he was licensed to preach in Barry, this 
state, December 18, 1841, and during all these 
j'ears has taken a very active part in the work of 
the Baptist Church. 

Lorey Bulkley, the father of our subject, was 
born in Connecticut May 16, 1788. He was the son 
of Justus Bulkley, also a native of the Nutmeg 
State. The American branch of the family origin- 
ated with Peter Bulkley, who was born in Bed- 
fordshire, England, in January, 1583, and on emi- 
grating to the United States made his home in 
Concord, Mass., where he died in 165!). He was a 
clergyman of the Church of England and was re- 
moved from his living by Archbishop Laud for 
non-conformity. In 1635 he sold his estate and 
came to America, where he became a prominent 



writer, his Latin verses being preserved in Cotton 
Mather's "•History of New England." He was the 
author of a work entitled "Gospel Covenant," 
which had a vvide circulation. 

There w.as a large number of clergymen among 
the ancestors of our subject, also many statesmen. 
Governor Bulkle}' of Connecticut being a near 
relative. He is related to Gen. William Bulkley, 
of Connecticut. The mother of our subject was 
prior to her marriage Harriett Scott. She was born 
in Connecticut March 3, 1795, and was the daugh- 
ter of Amos Scott, who subsequently removed to 
western New York. The parents were married near 
Utica July 23, 1818, and remained in the Empire 
State until 1837, when they came to Illinois and 
located near Barry, Pike Count\', where their de- 
cease occurred July 24, 1859, and December 1, 
1864, respectively. They reared a family of six 
children, two of whom are deceased: Harriet and 
Julius. Those living besides our subject are, Ed- 
mund B., Amos S. and Eliza E. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Leicester, 
Livingston County, N. Y., July 23, 1819. He at- 
tended school in the winters, working during the 
summer months, and the year prior to attaining 
his majority he was given his time and 8100 in 
money by his father. He taught school in Pike 
County until the spring of 1842. That year he 
came to Upper Alton and entered Shurtleff College, 
remaining a student until bis graduation in 1847, 
and was in the first regular class that received their 
diplomas from that institution. Two of his inti- 
mate friends who were graduated at the same 
time were William Cunningham, who subsequently 
became a teacher of note, and Edward Baker, 
brother of Judge Baker, of this cit}', who w.as sent 
to Buenos Ayres, South America, as United States 
Minister under Lincoln. 

After completing his education, our subject .ac- 
cepted the position of Principal of the prepara- 
tory department of the college, which he held 
until his ordination as a minister of the Baptist 
Church, February 14, 1849. His first charge was 
at Jerseyville, where he remained until Septem- 
ber, 1854, accomplishing great good. He was that 
year chosen Professor of Mathematics of his Alma 
Mater, discharging the duties .as such for two 



368 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



veal's, when lie w;is di'iirivcil >>f lii-^ |)(>silioii on 
aoconiil of lioinif an advuculc of liililo revision, 
wliicli wn.s ohjeeled lo liy llie Trustees of the col- 
lege. 

When asjain devoting ills energies to preaching 
the (Jospel, Mr. Iluliclev removed to C'arrollton, 
Greene County, this state, where lie was pastor of 
the Hai)tist Church for a peiiod of nine years. 
He then returned to I'pper Alton and i)reaelied 
for vear an<l a-lialf, when lie resigned in order to 
accept the Professorshi|) of Cliurch History and 
Polity in Shurtleff College, which i)osi(ion he still 
huUls, being now the oldest professor in the col- 
lege. 

The Rev. Justus IJulkley was married .Inly 27, 
1847, to Miss Lucy Perry Ide, who w.as born in 
New England April 2, 1818, and departed this life 
August 21, 1818. The second union of our sul)- 
ject was celebrated .June 25, 1849, at which time 
Harriet Green Newell hceanic his wife. She was 
born Novemlier 27, 1827, and died January 4, 
1879, having become the mother of nine children, 
only four of whom survive. Sarah Ellen is the 
wife of Charles B. Roberts, M. 1).. and lives in 
Robinson, Kan.; Emma C. married I. N. Vedder 
and is living in Uusliville, this state; Bertha is 
now Mrs. Edgar B. Roach, and with her husband 
Is a missionary to Rangoon, Burmali, Asia; and 
Olive C, the youngest of the family, lives in Illi- 
nois. Haltie and (icorge died in infanc}', and 
Fannie, who married Rev. John Roberts, died at 
her sister's, near Kansas Citj', Mo. 

The marriage of our .subject with Miss Mary 
B. Head U)olv place January 1.5, 1880. Mrs. Bulk- 
ley is a native of Virginia and was born Au- 
gust 16, 18.'51. She was the daughter of Samuel 
B. Rice, a minister in the Baptist Church. The 
subject of this sketch has been a member of the 
church since 1837, and has been a minister of the 
Gos|)el for forty-five years. He has been Clerk 
of the Baptist Slate Association for three years, and 
Moderator for ten years, holding the position for 
a greater length of lime than any other man. He 
has been President of the Board of Directors for a 
quarter of acentury,and in 18.51 waschosen Chair- 
man of the committee on ministerial obituaries of 
Illinois by the Baptist Pastt)ral Union, a position 




which he has since held with the exception of one 
3ear. In 1882 he accepted liie ollicc of Historical 
Secretary of the Baptist (leneral Association of 
lllinois,"and is still the inciinibent. 

Hev. Mr. Bulkley received the degree of Doctf)r 
of Divinity from the Chicago University. He has 
alwaj'S occupied a high i)lnce in the ministry and 
has occasionally furnished articles for the licliij- 
iovs Press. He has always Iteen a decided Prohi- 
hitioiiist. working at all times for the cause of 
teiniierance. He holds no regular charge now. al- 
though he supplies destitute churches in the vicin- 
ity of Alton. The greater portion of his time and 
attention are absorbed by his duties in college an<l 
state work. 

.,^=:^# P • . 

ETEU DEMUTH. As a brave soldier in 
the Union army during the late war, and 
as a representative of the cl.ass to whom 
our country owes its preservation as a na- 
tion, we present the name and life record of Mr. 
Demutli, one of Alton's honored citizens. He was 
born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 22, 
1838, and is of direct Germandescent, his father, 
whose name was also Peter, having been born in 
the city of Manheim, Baden, in 1802. The latter 
married in his native land Miss Mary Ilouser, and 
with his wife came to the United States in 18;i2, 
landing in New York City. 

Krom there the family traveled by wagon to 
Philadelphia, and in a similar way journeyed to 
Tuscarawas Count}', Ohio, where the father pur- 
chased a farm and for some years devoted his 
time to its cultivation. Afterward he conducted 
a mercantile business for several years. Krtmi Tus- 
carawas County he traveled with teams to Wells- 
ville, where he took a boat to Wheeling, W. \'a., 
and from there continued his journej- by boat to 
Pittsburg, in which city he settled in 1857. His 
death occurred Maj' 3, 1866. For some years he 
was survived by his wife, who passed from earth 
December 31, 1873. Politically, lie. was a Republi- 
can. He w.as a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church, to which his wife also belonged. 

In the family of Peter Demutli, Sr., there were 
the following children: Eva C wife of .lohn Alt, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



369 



of Ohio; Catherine and Elizabeth, who died in 
1839; Philip, a resident of Liverpool, Ohio; Peter; 
Mary E., deceased, and John, whose home is in 
Indiannpolis. Our subject was reared upon a farm 
and in his youth received ordinary educational 
advantages. In 1851 he commenced to learn the 
trade of a glass blower at Wheeling, W. Va., where 
he remained for one year. He then went to Pitts- 
burg to finish the trade, and spent two years in 
that city. On his return to Wheeling he was em- 
ploj'ed in the old glass works for some time, 
and afterward followed his trade at Zanesville, 
Ravenna and Newark, Ohio, St. Louis, Mo., and 
Covington, Ky. In 1877 he settled in Alton, 
where he has since resided, and where, until of 
recent years, he was employed at his trade. 

August 10, 1864, Mr. Demuth entered the Union 
armj' as a member of Company C, Eighty-eighth 
Pennsylvania Infantry, and was sent direct to 
City Point, on the James River. His company 
became a part of the Eourth Brigade, Fourth Div- 
ision, Fifth Army Corps. Later he became ill and 
was sent to the hospital, remaining there for some 
time. Prior to his discharge the Confederate 
forces had surrendered and soon after he joined 
his regiment at Georgetown, Md., he was mustered 
out of the service, June 10, 1865. At Balls Cross 
Roads he was honorably discharged. As a com- 
pensation for his services in the army he now re- 
ceives a pension from the Government. 

At Wheeling, W. Va., October 10, 1866, Mr. De- 
muth married Miss Sophia, daughter of Valentine 
and Salome (DeKellner) Stroble. Her father was 
a native of Schwartzwald, Germany, and her 
mother of Str.asburg, France, where Mrs. Demuth 
was born November 20, 1847. Her parents came 
to the United States in 1850, and settled in Wheel- 
ing, W. Va., where they died, the father in 1866, 
and the mother in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Demuth 
are the parents of seven children, namely: Cora, 
now the wife of William Hoppe, of Alton; John 
W. and George II., who are glass blowers at Alton; 
Mary, deceased; Frank, Alfred A. and Emma L. 
The family is identified with the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in religious matters. 

In politics Mr. Demuth is a Republican and 
takes an active interest in local affairs. He and 



his wife are connected with the Knights and La- 
dies of Honor, of which she is President. She is 
also a member of the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union, the Helping Hand Society and the 
Woman's Relief Cori)s, and of the latter organiza- 
tion she has been President for four years. She 
is a lad}' of more than ordinary executive ability, 
admirably qualified to beat the head of important 
organizations, and her efficient discharge of ofticial 
duties has won for her the warm commendation 
of all connected therewith. To the poor and the 
homeless she is especially kind and charitable, and 
her beneficence is widely known. She was the prin- 
cipal lady who assisted the doctors in dressing the 
wounds of the victims of the Wann horror of 1892, 
caused by the collision on the Big Four Railroad 
and the explosion of oil tanks. She remained with 
and cared for the wounded for three or four weeks 
constantly. 



<i^ DMOND BEALL is one of the public spirited 
fe and popular citizens of Alton. His birth 
ll — ^ occurred in this city September 27, 1848, 
and he is a son of John W. and Mary J. (Hodges) 
Beall. The former was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 
1817, and was one of the early settlers of Alton, 
to which city he removed as early as 1837. His 
father, Edmond Beall, was also one of the first 
citizens to locate in Alton, where he opened the 
first furniture store in the west. This building 
was situated on the present site of the Standard 
Milling Company on Second Street. The furni- 
ture of th.at day was mainly made by hand, and 
was necessarily of rather a crude description. His 
son, John W., w.as engaged in business with him 
until the death of the elder, when our subject's 
partner took charge of the concern, carrying it on 
successfully for several years. His death occurred 
in 1855. 

The subject of this narrative comes from a well 
known American family, his ancestors having re- 
sided in Ohio from a very early d.ay. He is one 
of three children, the others being Charles B. and 
Georgiana, who died in infancy. The mother, 
Mary (Hodges) Beall, was born in 1820, in Ten- 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



iiesseo, and rcMiu)viMl witli licr- niullu'r mimI olilcr 
brothers to Alton in \M\. niakinif tlie journoy l)y 
means of ox-teams. In this city she met and mar- 
riecj J. W. Heall, and licre spent lier entire life. 
John W. l^eali was a Whii;' in politics and was one 
of the charter memhcrs of the (irst Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows' lodges ever started in the 
west, belonging to fSlar Lodge of that order. 

The early years of our subject were mainly 
spent in attending the public schools of Alton, and 
when quite young he entered the ofliee of the Alton 
Telegra])Ji to learn the printer's trade, remaining 
with that paper for four years. Responding to the 
calls of his country for aid in suppressing the Re- 
bellion, he enlisted May 12, 18G-1, as a member of 
Companj' D, One Hundred ."ind Thirty-lhird Illi- 
nois Infantry. He was then only sixteen years of 
age, and had previously made sever;il efforts to get 
into the service, but was refused admission on ac- 
count of his jouth. Being mustered into the serv- 
ice at Springfield, III., he was then sent to Rock 
Island to guard the prisoners at that point. lie 
remained there engaged in this duty until he was 
mustered out, in the winter of 18G5. When our 
beloved President Lincoln was assassinated and his 
remains brought to Springfield, Mr. lieall took 
part in decorating the home of the dead hero, who 
was i)laced to rest in the cemetery of Oak Ridge. 

Upon his return from the army Mr. Beall went 
to serve an apprenticeship with J. & I). Millen, 
with whom he learned the trade of manufacturing 
mining tools. He was next an employe of the Al- 
ton Agricultural AVorks, where he remained until 
September 10, 1868. On the expiration of this 
period we once, more find him in the office of the 
AlUni Telegraph in charge of the press depart- 
ment. He sul)se()uently purchased the job de- 
partment, carr^'ing on the same for three years, 
and in the year 1881 sold out,and with his brother 
Charles organized the firm of ISeall Uros., for the 
purpose of manufacturing miners' tools. Their 
location is on Belle Street, where from time to 
time they have added to their factory and mater- 
ially increased the resources of their plant. l?y 
well directed efforts a prosperous and extensive 
business has been built up, their goods being 
shipped to every stale and Icriitory where niiiiiiig 



is carried on. In ISMT .lames Wesley Ueall, the 
son of Charles, was adniitte<l into the linn. The 
son of our subject, John Wesley, is also being 
trained in the busine.s.s. 

The marriage of Kdmond Heall and Alary Har- 
ris was celebrated Sei)lcinber 10, 18G8, in Altf)n. 
Mrs. Heall is a daughter of R. B. and Sarah Har- 
ris. R}' this marriage were born eight children; 
Kdmond and Charles, deceased; Ilattic Rlav and 
Abbic Lue, twins; John Weslej', Frank H., Edward 
and Charles Roy. Mrs. Heall is a faithful member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. She w.as 
born in Minnesota, where her parents resided for a 
time after their marriage. Tlie3- were natives of 
Alassachusetts. 

In his political relations Mr. Beall votes with the 
Republican party, and for twelve consecutive 
years has held the position of Alderman of the 
Fourth Ward. At the jircsent time he is Chairman 
of the Fire Ucpartment and Streets and Alleys 
Committees. Socially, he is one of the oldest 
members of Constantino Lodge No. 55, K. of P. 
The Beall Bros, have one of the finest steam ^-achts 
on the river, the "Glad Tidings," which is used .as 
a pleasure craft only. In all things i)ertaining to 
the progress of his native city our subject is deeply 
interested, and among his large circle of acquaint- 
ances is highly esteeined. 






^(OllNMI. KENDALL li.as for the past three 
years lived retired, renting his elegant farm 
ill Wood River Township. He h.as done 
much to aid in the <level(i|)iiu'nl and prog- 
ress of this section and is looked up to as one of 
the wealthy and prominent agriculturists. He 
was born in Macoupin County, this st:ite. .lune 
18, 183-1. and is the son of .lohn and Nancy 1!. 
(Sanders) Kendall and the grandson of ,\iiiiis and 
Susan (Taylor) Kendall. 'I'he grandfather it is 
supposed was horn in the iinitlierii portion of I n- 
di.ina, where he entered land from the (iovern- 
ment and carried on farm pursuits. He was ver\- 
l)iipul:ir and proiiiinent in his locality and had the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



371 



honor of naming a town located thirty miles north 
of Ft. AVayne and called Keudallsville. 

The grandparents of our subject had a family 
of sevcu children, of whom Thomas, now deceased, 
was a farmer of Macoupin County; Samuel T., for- 
merly an agriculturist of Madison Countj', was 
until his death engaged in business in Alton. He 
also made his home for a time in Jersey County, 
and some time in tlie 'lOs represented his dis- 
trict tliree terms in the State Legislature. Fen- 
wick, anotlicr sou, first located in Macoupin 
County, and later moved to Texas, where lie died; 
John, the father of our subject, was the next in 
order of birtii; Susan, now deceased, resided in 
Indiana; Sarah, Mrs. Cotter, died in tiiis county; 
Rebecca, who married Z. Newman, has also de- 
parted this life. The grandparents late in life 
moved to this state, and here passed the remain- 
der of their days, dying during tlie Civil War. 

John H. Kendall was a lad of ten years when 
his fatlier died, and two years later, in 1822, his 
mother, with tlie remainder of the family, came 
to Edwardsville, where she purcliased pro|)ert_y. 
When fourteen years old, John II. Kendall began 
as an apprentice to learn the trade of a shoemaker, 
serving tliree years, after which he followed 
that business for four jears. He was married in 
1830 to Miss Nancy Sanders, daughter of George 
Sanders. The lad}' was born in South Carolina 
in 1812, and at the age of four years came to this 
county with her parents, who located just one 
mile from the present home of our subject. 

The elder Mr. Kendall, after his marriage, en- 
tered eighty acres of land from the Government, 
on section 30, Wood River Township, which he 
later traded, and going to Macoupin County, eu- 
teied a tract of three hundred and twenty acres, 
most of which was prairie land. He lived upon 
this farm for fifteen years, during which time he 
placed it under excellent cultivation, and after his 
next removal we find him a resident of thiscount^', 
he living on two hundred and forty acres of land 
one and one-half miles from the iiorae of our sub- 
ject. 

John II. Kendall and his good wife were de- 
voted members of the Methodist E|)iscopal Church, 
and contributed liberally of their means toward 



the erection of tliree churches in this part of the 
county. He tt)ok a prominent part in the work of 
that bod}', serving for man3}ears as Class-leader, 
and for some time was Steward and Sunday-school 
Superintendent. He was first a Whig and later a 
Republican in politics, and during slavery times, 
was an Abolitionist of the strongest type. He de- 
parted this life in 1871, and was followed to the 
better land by his good wife, whose decease oc- 
curied in the year 1883. 

The subject of this sketch w.as educated in the 
common schools, attending for three years in Al- 
ton. He was one in a family of nine children, 
his brothers and sisters being, James M., a farmer 
in this county; Susan M., the widow of J. S. Paull; 
Catherine, the widow of Nelson J. Paull, formerly 
of Topeka, Kan.; Emil}' J., now deceased, who was 
the wife of S. C. Gillhain; Anna, Mrs. Bennett San- 
ders, also deceased; Laura J., Mrs. John Greed, who 
resides in Roodhouse, this stale; Julia, deceased, 
and Samuel T., living in Edwardsville. 

Our subject remained at home until March, 
1855, when he rented land and operated it for six 
years on his own account. During that time, Oc- 
tober 20, 1859, he was married to Miss Esther, 
daughter of David B. and Rebecca (Stockton) 
Berry. Mrs. Kendall was born in Wood River 
Township, while her parents were natives of 
Kentuck}'. To Mr. and Mrs. Kendall was born 
a family of four children. Lyda S., now Mrs. 
Charles S. Gillham, was a student in Shurtleff Col- 
lege, and is also a graduate of Alinira College of 
Greenville, this state; Frank is deceased; Nannie 
married Thomas Fahnestock and completed her 
education in Almira College, and Fen wick Tay- 
lor is a law student in Edwardsville. 

About one year after his marriage, Mr. Kendall 
purchased the farm he was renting, which was 
located near his present estate. He later removed 
to section 3G, where he added to his tract as his 
means would allow, until he is now the possessor 
of three hundred and sixteen broad and well cul- 
tivated acres. When he took cliarge of it, the 
land was covered with a heavy growth of timber. 
This he cut away, and erected a small house, in 
which the famil}' lived until a more commodious 
Structure could be built. The fine lawn suiround- 



372 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



inj; the residence is shaded by hirge and stately 
forest trees whieh Mr. Kendall let stand, and 
which add to its attractiveness and comfort. 

Our subject l)clougs to the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in politics votes with the Republican 
[)art3'. Socially, he is a Knight of Honor, belong- 
ing to Salem Lodge No. 241. 



=-^^~^m^ 




LLEN T11EODORI-: SCOVELL. This 
prominent citizen of Alton, who is Assist- 

H lli ant Superintendent of the Upper Alton 
Street Car Com pan}', is also a veteran of 
the late war, rendering his country valuable serv- 
ice during those dark days, lie was born in Salem, 
Iowa, May 1, 1844, and is the son of Jeremiah 
and Nancy .Scovell; the former was born in 
New York, whence he moved to (Jliio, and from 
that state came to Iowa some time in the '40s. In 
SeiJtembcr, 1844, the father of our subject came to 
this state, making his home at Alton. In politics 
he was first a Whig, and later a Reiniblican. His 
death occurred in this city in 1874; he was pre- 
ceded to the belter land by his good wife, who 
died in 1856. 

The parental family of our subject included 
seven children, five of whom still survive. They 
are, Mary, the wife of Edward llindle; Ruth Ann, 
the wife of William White; Allen, of this sketch; 
Alex and William. .John and James are deceased. 
The early life of our subject was passed in work- 
ing about the home and in attendance at the pub- 
lic schools, lie started out for himself when only 
thirteen years of age doing farm work, which he 
continued to carry on for about four years, or un- 
til oflfering his services to the Union arni}'. 

Young Scovell responded to the call for volun- 
teers and enlisted September 21, 1861, in Cora- 
pan}' F, Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, being 
mustered into service at Camp Htiller December 
31 of that year. The regiment then moved to the 
front, first going to Cairo, and then to Ft. Henry 
Tcnn., arriving there after the capture of that 
place. From there they went u[) the Tennessee 



Rivt'r to I'itlsbuig Landing and took part in the 
mctiiorable battle there April G and 7, when our 
subject's company lost hcavil}'. The next engage- 
ment was the siege of Corinth, followed by the 
battle of Memphis, where the regiment went into 
camp for two months. The}- then moved to Hol- 
ivar, that state, and while there went into camp for 
a week. 

The coiiiiiaiiy of which 3ouug .Scovell was a 
member formed a portion of the First Brigade, 
Fourth Division and Seventeenth Army Corps. 
The next battle in which they fought was Corinth, 
where Rosecrans defeated Bragg; the regiment was 
then sent back to Tennessee, and our subject re- 
turned home on recruiting duty, and after reiiiaiu- 
iiig about six months he again joined the com- 
mand vvitli the recruits at Mem[)liis. 

He remained there until the move on Vicks- 
burg, and after its surrender the command went to 
Jackson; the battle at this place was followed by the 
one at Johnson. The regiment then returned to the 
Black River and went into camp, remaining there 
until ordered on the Meridian campaign. After 
this the regiment was given a furlough. Those 
who did not veteranize were formed into a com- 
pany of which Mr. Scovell took charge and which 
moved on to Vicksburg. There they took a 
steamer and returned to Cairo, whence they went 
up the Tennessee River to Clifton, and from that 
place marched to Iluntsville, Ala., where they 
joined their regiment in the early part of 1864. 
From that city they went with the Seventeenth 
Army Corps to Big Shant}', where they met Sher- 
man's Army on the Atlanta campaign and joined 
it, and during an engagement which followed our 
subject was wounded in the left arm, at Nicker- 
jack Creek, while on picket duty. He was then 
sent to the hospital at Rome, where his wound 
was found to be quite serious, owing to the fact 
that it had not been properly cared for prior to 
this. He remained at Rome for about two months, 
when he was sent home on a furlough, and as his 
arm was so long healing, some of his comrades were 
sent to liim with an honorable discharge. 

At the close of the war, and after having fully 
regained his health, Mr. Scovell engaged in farm 
pursuits in Wood River Townshi|) for about twt> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



373 



years. He next engaged in teaming, carrj'ing on 
this business for a period of eleven j'eais, after 
which lie operated a threshing machine. His next 
emiikiynient was in the stables of the street car 
company, where he was soon promoted to be driver 
of a car. and live3'cars later was appointed Assist- 
ant Superintendent, which position he now holds. 
Allen T. Scovell and Miss Rebecca Dorsey were 
united in marriage February 21, 1865, and to 
them were Ijorii three children, Nannie G., novv 
deceased; Hattie M. and Dora. Mrs. Scovell de- 
parted this life Septeinl)er 19, 1878. Socially our 
subject is a prominent Mason, belonging to Frank- 
lin Lodge No. 25, and Chapter No. 15. He is like- 
wise connected with the Ancient Order of United 
Workmen, Madison Lodge No. 110, and in [joli- 
tics is a Proliil)itioiiist. In religious affairs he is 
a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 



+= 



=+ 




ARNETT NATHAN. This prominent resi- 
dent of Alton occupies the position of .Jus- 
tice of tiie Peace, and is also Notary Pub- 
lie. He was born in Dover, Kent, England, 
.July 1',), 1833, and is the son of Solomon L. and 
Louisa E. (Isaacs) Natlian, the former of whom 
was also a native of the above place in England. 

The father of our subject was a merchant, which 
was also the business of Lis father. Solomon Na- 
than departed this life iu Bolougne, France, to 
which place he had removed from Dover at the 
age of thirty-one years. His wife was a native of 
Portsmouth, England, and died while residing in 
Dover, in 1894. They were the parents of six 
children, only two of whom are now living: Kath- 
erine, the wife of J. Kenney; and the subject of 
this sketch. 

Barnett spent his early life in Dover, where he 
attended private schools, and at the age of thirteen 
left home and went to Manchester, where he found 
a situation as clerk in a clothing house. There he 
remained until the year prior to attaining his ma- 
jority, when he set sail for the L'uited Slates, lo- 



cating in New York City, where he had a cousin, 
Lionel Jacobs, who was the owner of a jewelry 
store. Three years later young Nathan came further 
west and engaged as clerk in a clothing house in 
Milwaukee, Wis, remaining there for about seven 
years. 

In August, 1802, our subject enlisted his services 
in Company I, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry, 
and with his regiment was sent to Louisville, Ky., 
where they went into camp until called out. The 
first engagement in which Mr. Nathan participated 
was at Perry ville, where the Union forces num- 
bered about ten thousand men, and the army of 
the enemy forty thousand. After this battle the 
command marched to Bowling Green, where our 
subject was taken sick and confined m the hos[)ilal, 
where he remained until discharged on account of 
l)hysical disabilit3', December 4, 1863. 

After being mustered out, Mr. Nathan returned 
north, and on gaining his healtii, again engaged in 
the clothing business, this time in St. Louis, where 
he remained until 18GG, the date of his advent 
into this city. Here he opened a clothing estab- 
lishment continuing in this line of business for a 
number of years, and then selling out his inter- 
ests, began traveling for a St. Louis tobacco and 
cigar house. 

In January, 1894, our subject became Notary 
Public, and in the spring was elected Justice of 
the Peace for Alton. He is also agent of this city 
for large merchant tailoring houses in Boston, St. 
Louis and Chicago. He was united in marriage 
in 1857 with iAIiss Rosetta M. Gibbons, who was 
born in Favershain, Kent, England. Mrs. Nathan 
emigrated to the Ihiited States with her jjarents, 
locating in Milwaukee, Wis. She was one in a 
family of three children, George II. P., Louise and 
Rosetta. During the late war George fought in 
the Twelfth Illinois Infantry, and being taken a 
prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, was confined in 
Andersonville Prison for nine months. He is now 
living in Sjiriiigfield, III. 

To our subject and his wife was born one child, 
Louisa E., who is now the wife of Frank Joeger, a 
resident of this city, and a member of the firm of 
Joeger, Hanold Ar Co. In polities our subject is a 
Republican, and belongs to Alton Grand Army 



374 



I'OHTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



I'osl Nil. Ill, uf wliicli 111' liMS hffii ( ^»ii;uii'rrn:isU'r. 
Ik- is :i iiicinhci' uf llii" Lsnu'lili' t'liiiirli, wliilu his 
good wife worships with the Episcopal Church. 



/^ An\ TROY MOORK, one of the old and 
(l( much esteemed citizens of I'ppei- Alton, and 

^^^ a veteran of the late war, was horn in Mon- 
roe County, this stale, August (i, IHlls. He is the 
son of (U-n. .lames 15. and Sarah (Shook) Moore, 
the former of whom was Ujrn.in A'irijinia in'lTHO, 
and was the son of .lames Moore, Sr., who was like- 
wise a native of the t)lil Dominion, and of English 
and Scotch ancestry. 

The giandfather of our subject served .is a sol- 
dier in the late war. He was afterward sent by 
the Oovernment to the then territory of Illinois 
as an Indian trader; he first made his heaihiuar- 
ters at Kaskaskia, and later in Hellfountain. His 
wife bore the name of Hannah Moore, and became 
the mother of the followiiiij: named I'hildieii: IMar- 
garet, William, John, .lames 15., Enoch, Maiy, Will- 
iam (2d) and Milton. James 15., John and Enoch 
participated in the War of 1812. 

The father of our subject served as captain in 
the war just mentioned, and after its close was 
commi.ssioned general of the militia. He was by oc- 
cupation a tanner, and located m Monroe County, 
this state, in 1817, where his decease occurred July 
10, 1841. In politics he was a stanch Whig, and 
was a Methodist in religious faith. His wife, .Sarah 
(Shook) Moore, reared the following children: 
Mary, the wife of .lonathan Lynch; Nancy, who 
died when young; Eunice, who became the wife of 
Felix Scott; Troy, James C, Gilied; Luc}', who 
married Franklin Hiielt. and Lewis W. 

Captain Moore wiis reared at home, attended the 
common schools and assisted his father in the tau- 
ning business. He later took a course in McKen- 
dree College, at Lebanon, and in the year 1837 
started out for himself as a farmer at Scott Springs, 
Monroe County. He continued farming there un- 
til 1818, when he sold out and removed to U|)per 
Alton, where he engaged in the milling business, 
and at the same time kept an hotel. These enter- 



prises he con diuled until 1860, and in September 
of the following year.enlisted in the I'nion army; 
he was mustered into service Heceniber 21 as a 
member of Company F, Thirty-second Illinois In- 
fantry. 

That same month the company of which our 
subject was a member were .sent to the frnnt, laiiil- 
ing at Hird's Point, Mo., where they went into 
camp for awhile. 'I'liey were next ordered to Ft. 
1 leniy, arriving there just after the siege. Mov- 
ing on to .Shiloh, they partici|)ated in that battle, 
where Mr. Moore's coniiiany sufTcrcd a .severe loss. 
After this battle he was promoted to be .Second 
Lieutenant, and from the held of Shiloh the regi- 
ment went to Corinth, next to Memiihis, Tenn., 
and from there to N'icksburg, where tin y remained 
until its surrender. From there they moved to 
Jackson, Miss., and following it lanie the battle of 
Jackson, after which the eonipany was given a fur- 
lough, .•uid the .soldiers went home for a month. 

When again re[)orting for duty, Lieulenanl 
Moijre joined his regiment in Cairo, III., after 
which they went to Clifton. Tenn., and from there 
into Georgia, going into cam|) at Acworth, near 
the Kenesjiw Mountains. After skirmishing about 
the mountains for some time, the regiment partici- 
pated in the siege of Atlanta, and after it* fall our 
subject resigned and returned home. 

During the latter part of 1801, Lieutenant 
Moore raised a company, of which he was elected 
Captain, and it was mustered into service as Com- 
pany E, One Hundred and Fifty-second Kcgiinent. 
They were then sent into Tennes.sec, arriving at 
their destination in March, 1865, and after being 
drilled for a time under General Dudley, were 
called to Murfreesboro, and in September of that 
year were mustered out of service and returned 
home. During his army experience Captain Moore 
was never wounded, except at Shiloh, and w;is 
never taken prisoner. 

After the establishment of peace, our subject re- 
turned home and was made .Superintendent of the 
street car line running between Alton and I'pper 
Alton, which position he held for three years, af- 
ter which he retired from the active pursuiU> of 
life. He was married March 16, 1837, to Miss 
Clarissa A., daughter of Solomon .■iiid 15:iisheba 




HUGH K. JOHNSTON. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD 



377 



Patterson. Mrs. Moore was born in Crawford 
Comity, Tenn., and bore ber husband the follow- 
ing children: Lucretia L., deceased; Dorada L., 
who married George Miller, who is deceased; Fiu- 
ley B., deceased; James C, conductor on the motor 
line; Alice, tlie wife of Edward Cummings, of Chi- 
cago; and Edward T., living in St. Louis. 

Mrs. Moore was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, in the faith of which she died 
March 14, 1893. The Captain is also a member of 
that denomination. In |)oliticshe is a Republican, 
and is connected with the Grand Army post in Al- 
ton. In 1882 the Moore family had a re-union at 
Belleville, this state, when there were present about 
two hundred. Captain Moore is a familiar figure 
about Upper Alton, and is lield in high esteem b}' 
all who know him. 



m-^mBmmM^ 



UGH KIKKWOOD JOHNSTON, President 
^* of the H. K. Johnston Hardware Companj' 
of Alton, was born in Dalr^', Ayrshire, 
\f^ Scotland, May 22, 1814. Both his father 
and grandfather bore the name of James. The 
foruier emigrated to the Ihuted States in 1853 and 
settled in Alton, where he died in 1878. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Mary Kirkwood, died in 
Scotland before he came to this country. 

In the parental family there were seven children, 
of whom the following four arc now living: Mary, 
the wife of Robson Graham, of Chicago; Hugh K., 
of this sketch; Janet, who married Henr3' AVatson, 
of Alton, and James, an engineer in Chicago. The 
subject of this sketch received his education in 
the public schools, and his first position was in a 
boiler shop, where he was employed about two 
years. For the three years ensuing he was engaged 
in gas and steam fitting. He then learned the 
trade of a blacksmith, and with the exception of 
the time spent in the army was thus engaged for 
twelve years. 

When the water works were started in 1875, 
Mr. Johnston was chosen Secretary and retained 
that position for about six years. From Alton he 
15 



went to Bunker Hill, where he remained until 
1869. He then removed to El Dorado, Kan., re- 
maining about six years. Upon his return to Al- 
ton he accepted the position of Secretaiy of the 
water works, as above stated. During the time 
of his secretaryship he started his hardware store, 
opening an establishment on the corner of Second 
and State Streets. As liis business increased he 
extended his store rooms until he now occupies 
four fronts. 

The II. K. Johnston Cominui}' was incorporated 
December 8, 1884, with a capital stock of $10,000. 
On the 23d of the same month H. K. Johnston was 
elected Secretary and Treasurer. He held that 
position until December 31, 1888, when he was 
elected President; Philip Walters, becoming Vice- 
President; and John B. Rogers, Secretary and 
Treasurer. On the ICth of January, 1893, the 
company was re-organized as follows: II. K. John- 
ston, President; Mary K. Johnston, Vice-Presi- 
dent; and Annie P. Johnston, Secretary and 
Treasurer. 

The firm carries a general line of hardware, tin- 
ware, stoves, harness and saddlery, carriages, bug- 
gies, farm wagons, agricultural im()lements, paint- 
ers' supjilies, etc. The annual sales average about 
1*75,000 and constantly increase. The trade is not 
limited to Madison County, but also extends into 
adjoining counties. The success of the enterprise 
is due almost wholly to the tireless exertions and 
skillful management of the gentleman whose name 
it bears. 

At Bunker Hill, III., November 2C, 1873, Mr. 
Johnston and Miss Annie P. Richards were united 
in marriage. Airs. Johnston is the only child of 
Thomas and Ann (Priiigle) Richards, natives of 
England, who came to the United States in an 
early day and were among the first settlers of 
Bunker Hill, III., remaining there until death. 
Mr. and Mrs. Johnston have three children living: 
Mary K., Bessie II. and Henry W. Mrs. Johnston 
w.as reared in the Congregational faith, and Mr. 
Johnston in the belief of the Presbyterian Church. 

Socially, Mr. Johnston is identified with Lodge 
No. 1 17, A. O. U. W., at Alton. In iiolitics he is a 
Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. 
When the country was in danger he was too en- 



378 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGUAl'IIICAL RECORD. 



lliiKsiiuilii' a [inli'iot U) rciiiiiin at liume and accord- 
iiijjly unlisted for its defense. At Sprini;tield, on the 
2i)l\i ofjiil^-, 18G2.lie was nuislercil into Conipany 
A, Ninety-seventh Illinois Infantry, and after re- 
niainiii<^ in canip for a time went to tlie front as 
Corporal. His lii^t enyagenRMit was at Chickasaw 
Bluff, which was followed by tlie battles at Ar- 
kansas Post and Kl. (5ib.<on. The sanguinary en- 
gajjenient of C'liainpit)n Mills was followed by that 
at Hlack River Bridge. Ilis company, with Sher- 
man's coinmand, took part in the sicijes of Vicks- 
biirg, .lacksoii and Ft. Blakoly. After the surren- 
der of Kt. Blakel3' he was ordered to Texas, where, 
July 27, 18R5, he was mustered out of service. At 
Spriiij^lield he was paid and lionoiably discharged. 
After the siege of Ft. Blakely, for gallant serv- 
ices, Mr. .lohnstoii was promoted to Sorgeaiit-Major. 
Out of the full company- vf one hundred that went 
out in 1862, only thirtj--fivcreturned. The others 
were buried on various battlefields. During his 
long service he h.as wounded only once, and then 
but slightly, a spent ball striking him in the chest 
at Arksiiisas Post, lie was a mere lad when he 
to(>k up .•irms in defense of the country, but he 
was ever found at his post of duty, bearing his 
jiart ill the great struggle for the I'nion and ever 
holding the respect of his comrades. lie is still in 
the full vigor of manhood, having passed through 
the hardships of war with aiipaieiitlv little damage 
to his coiislitutioii. lie is a man of large iieart, is 
genial in cliaracter, benevolent and charitable, and 
is an honored citizen of his adtipted country. 



•^1 



mA 



li'«=^- 



I 



UI.IPS II. I'lKOKNBArM. M. D., is one of 
the leading (ihysicians of Alton, and is a 
native son of Illinois. lie is in the enjoy- 
ment of an extensive practice and is num- 
bered among the best physicians of the city. Mis 
birth occurred in Galena April 27, 1859, and he 
was one of eight children born to Rev. William 
and Sophia (('■uscwclle) Kiegcnbaum. 

Our subject's father was a native of Germany, 
but became a resident of the United States when a 



lad of only ten years of age. With his parentjs he 
located in Missouri, where his father, Adolph Kie- 
geiibaum, gave him a good education, lie early 
concluded to enter the ministry in the (icriiiaii 
Methodist denomination, and on the coinplclion 
of his studies was ordained, at the age of twenty- 
one, since which time he h.as been actively en- 
gaged in church work. Now, though in hissixt^'- 
ninlh year, he is still in the Master's service, 
having charge of the clmicli at BimUcr Hill, III. 
During his ministerial career he has been stationed 
in the stales of Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota 
and Illinois. Ilis wife, who bore the maiden name 
of Sophia Gusewelle, was also a native of tier- 
many, and with her parents emigrated to the 
I'nited States, her marriage being celebrated in 
St. Louis. The children of this worthy couple are 
as follows: Adolph F., of Kdwardsvillo; Dr. E. W., 
of the same place; Bertha \. and t)ur subject 
(twins'), the former the wife of Rev. C. V. Bliinie, 
of the (lernian Methodist Church of Minneapolis; 
Martha, the wife of C. II. l-yiu-li, an attorney of 
Edwardsville; and l.ydia Mary, the wife of Rev. 
11. C. .lacoby, of Baldwin, Mo. 

The I)octt)r was educated in the public schools 
of llighhind, Suminerlield and Edwardsville, 111. 
A [)orlioii of his boyhood was also [lassed in Pitts- 
field,where he was graduated from the high school, 
lie next entered the oUice of his lirotlier. Dr. E. 
W., in 188(1, to study medicine, tlumgli previous 
to this time lie had read a number of medical 
works. For two years he remained with his biotlier, 
at the end of this time entering the St. Louis .Med- 
ical College, where he pursued a course of study 
for one year and then entered Rush Medical Col- 
lege in Chicago. March 1>, 188.'), he was gradu.atcd 
from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, of 
New York City. 

On commencing his active professional career. 
Dr. Eiegenbaum located in Alton, and since that 
time, August 1. 188;'), he has steadily increased his 
patronage. His practice is now (|uite extensive, 
and in order to kee[) thoroughly posted on all 
new discoveries in the line of medicine, he has 
ideutilicd himself with several |)romiiieiit so- 
cieties. Among these are the Madison County 
Medical Society, the Illinois State and Ameri- 



POUTUAIT AND I'.lOGllAPlllL'AL KECOKD. 



379 



can Medical Assucialioiis. lie was ai)|)oiiiled 
Ilualtli Ollii^fi- ill lS'j;5 ami was re-appuiiiUHl to 
this responsible |)Osition in 1894. Socially he be- 
loiij^s to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
and the Knights of l'3thias. He is a lle[)u))lican 
in politics, and religicisly holds inemberslii|) with 
the (iernian Methodist Ciuiieh. 

He was niairied September 11, 1889, to Miss 
Sophie E. Pitts, of this city. Mrs. Fiegenbaum is 
a daughter of Samuel and Uelle (Pringle) Pitts, 
early anil respected settlers of Madison Count}-. 
Two children graced the union of the Doctor and 
his wife. Marry ]'. and P>ertlia C. The former died 
when eleven months old. Mrs. I'"iegenbaum holds 
membership with the Presbyterian Church and is 
a lady of culture and refinement, who (nesides 
over her husband's home with dignity and grace. 



-==^); 



'i>^<m- 



i* 




^^( ICHAEL A. LOWE, a resident of Upper 
Alton, owns one hundred acres of land? 
which he devotes prineii)ally to fruit-rais- 
ing. On his estate in 18.jl he built one of 
the finest dwellings in the county, to which he made 
additions in 1875 which cost ¥10,000. Our sub- 
ject is the son of William Lowe, who was born in 
Virginia in 1801. His father, Zedekiali I>owe, was 
a native of .Scotland, whence he went to England, 
and later emigrated to the United States, making 
his home in \'irginia. 

The maiden name of our subject's mother was 
Catherin Speed. She was also born in the Old 
Dominion, in the year 1800, and was the daughter 
of John Speed, who was of (Termaii birth and who 
served as a soldier in the Hev<j|ulionary War after 
coming to America. Grandmolhcr Mary (Shaffer) 
Speed was born in Maryland. 

Mr. and Mrs. William J>owe were married in 
Union, the count}' seat of Monroe County, Va., and 
lived there until coming to Illinois in 1829. The 
journey was made by wagon to Kanawha, whence 
they went by boat to St. Louis, remain iiig there for 
three months, and then came to Alton, when this 
now large and prosperous city contained about 



a dozen houses. The parents located in a log 
house on Manning Street, and the father followed 
his trade, that of a carpenter. They later removed 
to the new home which had been erected for them, 
and in it the wife and motlier died. William 
Lowe was a second time married, the lady on this 
occasion being Miss Galena Humphrey. Only one 
child of this union is now living. Frank, who 
makes his home in this city. 

The parental family included ten children, of 
whom our subject is the eldest of the five liv- 
ing, the others being Richard, Wilham C, Alfred 
Humbert and Samuel Stanton. Alfred served as 
a soldier during the late war. Michael A. was 
born January 12,1823, in Monroe County, Va., 
and after a short time spent in school, learned 
the trade of a carpenter from his father, and 
was also engaged in the manufacture of brick for 
some time. 

Mr. Lowe of this sketch was married in 1846 
to Miss Eliza, daughter of Peter Waggoner, one 
of the old pioneers of this county. Mrs. Lowe 
was born in Tennessee, and after their union the 
young couple continued to live in Upper Alton 
until 1849, when they removed to their pres- 
ent |)lace. Mr. Lowe followed brickinaking for 
some yeais, and then turned his entire attention 
to farm pursuits. In 1875 he purchased three 
hundred acres of land, but has since disposed of 
the larger portion of it, only retaining one hun- 
dred acres, which he has planted in all kinds of 
fruits. 

liy the union of our subject and Miss Wag- 
goner there were born eleven children, of whom 
all are deceased with the exception of three, viz.: 
Edward, Alice and James. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Lowe are devoted members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, with which they have been con- 
nected for man}' years. 

Socially, the original of this sketch is a Mason 
of high standing, and belongs to the blue lodge 
and chapter. He has always taken an active part 
in local affairs and is particularly interested in 
eilucational matters, having served for eighteen 
years as a member of the IJoard. He is at present 
representing his ward in the Council of Upper 
Alton, and gives entire satisfaction by the able 



380 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



manner in which he discharges liis duties. Mr. 
Lowe has been :\ resident here for tlie past sixty- 
live vears, and duriiij^ thai time has made a host 
of warm friends Ihroiifjhoul tlie county. Our 
subject first voted the Democratic ticket, then llie 
American ticlcet U>v KiMmore, later for Abraliani 
Lincoln, and now has yone back to the Democratic 
party. 



}i- KNUV SlLVUl*, one uf Uie leading and in- 
|i lUiential citizens of Alliambra, is numbered 
^^^ among the native sons of Illinois, his birth 
^^ having occurred in Clinton County, five 
miles south of Carlyle, April 5, 1819. He is the 
oldest man now living who was born in that coun- 
ty. His father, .lonalhan Sharp, was a native of 
Pennsylvania, born in 17U7. He married Polly 
St. Clair, (laughter of Thomas St. Clair, who taught 
in St. Clair County as early as 18 IG. She was boin 
in Buncombe County', N. C, in 1800, and was mar- 
ried at Turkey Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp located 
in Clinton County in the spring of 1819, and 
there made a permanent home. The father died 
in I8.')3, and his wife passed away in 1875. They 
were the parents of thirteen children, nine of 
whom reached mature years, while six are j-et liv- 
ing. Mrs. Sharp lived to number seventy-two 
grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. 
She was a member of the INIethodist Church. Mr. 
Sharp took <iuile an active part in politics but was 
never an oflice seeker. He was a stanch Abolition- 
ist, and voted with the Whig party. For fourteen 
years he served as Assessor of Clinton County, and 
for a long (leriod was .lustice of the Peace. He 
served under General Whiteside in the War of 
1812, and his son Klisha was one of the boys in 
blue in the Civil War. 

Ileury Sharp is the ehlcst of the family. He was 
reared in his native county and liegan his educa- 
tion at Hickory Knob, five miles southwest of Car- 
lyle, in a schoolhouse built of poles, six inches at 
the butt and four inches at the top, the dimensions 
of the building being 12x11 feet. In one end of 
the room was a large fireplace and the apertures 



where the logs had been removed served as win- 
dows. The benches were made of three cornered 
rails, with the fiat side up, upon which the students 
sat eight hours per day. In true pioneer style, 
Mr. Sharp spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth. At the age of nineteen he began teaching, 
and from his fourteenth year he would sit up un- 
til ten o'clock each night studying. He afterward 
attended McKendree College, and thiougli reading 
and observation has become vuc of liie liest in- 
formed men of Madison County. 

Ml-. Sliar|) was married in ()ct()ber, 1812, to 
Margaret .1. IMills, a native of Kentucky, and a 
daughter of A. G. and Polly (Trotter) Mills, who 
in 182(> removed to Bond County, III., where they 
spent their remaining days. The members of the 
Mills family now living are, Mrs. Klizabelii Henry, 
aged ninet\-lliiee; .Judge .loseph T. Mills, of Wis- 
consin; Mrs. Mary Floyd, of ( Iieenville, 111., and 
Mrs. Sharp, who was Ixnn in Bourlion County, Ky., 
April HI, 1822. One son, Perry, served in the 
Black Hawk War. Mrs. Sharp was educated in the 
public schools of Bond County, and in Mis. Kan- 
dall's Female Seminary of Salem, 111. 

Mr. Sharp located upon a farm near the lioiiie 
place, where he lived for ten years, and in 18ij2 
went to Bond County, where for thirty-two years 
he successfully eng.aged in farming, thus acquiring 
a handsome competence, lie also taught school 
for twenty years, and in 1882 he came to .Vlliain- 
bra, where he has since lived retired. The home 
of Mr. and Mrs. Sharp was blessed with ten chil- 
dren, five yet living, Mary A., wife of .John Mc- 
Allister, of Bond County, by whom she has live 
children; Milton M., who married Maud Morgan 
and lives in Greenville, III.; Thomas St. Clair, who 
married Mina Fields, by whom he has one child, 
and resides in Alhambra; Annie, wife of Joseph B. 
Pearce, and the mother of five children, and Bet- 
tie, wife of L.J. Harris, of Kceseport, 111., by whom 
she has one child. 

Mr. Sharp is a man of broad and liberal views, 
and h.as lectured to a considerable extent on infidel 
topics. He is a contributor to the "Free Thinker," 
the "Truth Seeker," of New York, the "Religio 
Philosophical .loiirnal," of Chicago, and the "Iron 
Clad Age," of Indianapolis. He was a Whig 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



381 



until the organization of the Republican parly, 
wliieh he supported until 1876, since wliich time 
lie has been a Democrat. He frequently serves as 
a delegate to the party conventions, and has served 
as Chairman of the county conventions. For thirty- 
two years he was Justice of the Peace, four years 
President of the Village Board, Townsiii|) Super- 
visor two years, and a member of the School Board 
thirty-two years. His long continued service well 
indicates the promptness and fidelity with which 
he has discharged his duties, and attests the confi- 
dence and trust reposed in him. 






'^ OIIN W. KOCH, general manager and prin- 
cipal stockholder in the Stoneware Pipe 
Compan.y, of Alton Junction, was born in 
Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, March 31, 
1838. He the son of Henry and Ann Koch, also 
natives of the above place in Germany. The fa- 
ther was a dairy farmer, and the owner of a small 
tract of land. He reared a family of six children. 
Frederick is engaged in teaching school in Apen- 
rade; Sophia, Mrs. Charles Carstenson, lives in 
Tondern; Henry is operating a farm in Barlij-; 
Charles is carrying on a thriving trade as a grocer 
in Barby; William is deceased; and John AV. is 
the subject of this sketch. 

John W. is the only member of his parents' fam- 
ily who emigrated to the United States. He was 
educated in the common schools, and when sixteen 
years of age began clerking in a grocery store, 
where he remained until a year after reaching his 
majority. He was then drafted into the Danish 
army, and although being drilled for fifteen months, 
did not participate in any active engagement. 

In 1866 Mr. Koch crossed the Atlantic and 
stopped for a few weeks in Chicago. Thence he 
went to Chatsworth, Livingston County, this state, 
where he found work on a farm b}' the month. In 
December of that year he went to St. Louis, and 
remained there until the following spring, when 
he made his advent into Alton. Here he accepted 
a clerkship in a hardware and farm implement 



store, and three years later was married to Miss 
Henrietta Jostlng. The lady w.as born in Ger- 
many, and on the death of her father, came to 
America with her mother, locating in Alton. 

To our subject and his good wife there were born 
nine children, two of whom are deceased; those 
living are: Emma, Fred, Lizzie, Alfred, Edna, 
Lenora and Freda. They have been given good 
educations in the city schools. After his marriage 
Mr. Koch established a grocery store at Alton Junc- 
tion, which he operated for about twenty years. 
During that time, in 1878, in company with M. H. 
Boals and A. F. Foster, he purchased at a sheriff's 
sale the stock and plant of the Stoneware Pipe 
Company, which was located near the junction, 
and since they have taken charge of affairs the 
business has greatly increased. It is now an in- 
corporated company, with ^100,000 worth of stock. 
They manufacture all articles used in stone piping 
and have been very successful financially. 

The comjiany give employment to about sixtj' 
men, and have one hundred and eighty-six acres 
of land where their plant is located, thirty acres 
of which iiroduce the raw material for making 
stoneware. The factory has a capacity of two-car 
loads per day, and their works are classed among 
the important industries of the city. 



|:t^@| 



^1 



"\||OHN ELBLE, of Alton, has served three 
terms as Alderman of that city, and is a 
prominent Democrat. He has held various 
offices in the gift of the people, discharging 
his duties to the satisfaction of his constituents 
and all concerned. He is a native of Alton, and 
was born June 17, 1855. His parents were Bene- 
dict and Margaret (Von Stein) P>lble. The former, 
who was a native of Baden, Germany, was born in 
1831, and emigrated to the United States in 1848. 
He left the hind of his nativity on account of hav- 
ing been active .is a revolutionist, and on coming 
to Illinois, settled at Alton and engaged in the 
mercantile business until called from this life in 
1872. He was a Democrat in politics and held 



382 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



various ollioial positions, ninono; them being tliose 
of City Treasurer and City Assessor. He was an 
agent of llie Nortii (Jerrnan Lloyd Sloamsiiip Com- 
j)any, and w;is insti iiiiienlal in sccurini; a large 
n unilicr of (Jermans to settle in this country. In his 
possession was a pass]>ort signed l)v Lincoln and 
Sumner. A nicnilxr of tlic Masonic order, lie was 
high ill Ilic ordci- iiiid was a line musician. His 
wift^ was a native of St. Louis, where her mar- 
riage took i)laci'. I Icr death occurred in 18G7. 

John KIble is one of six cliildren, of whom he is 
the eldest. Amelia is the wife of George Brcner; 
Mary is Mrs. William Richardson; Jose|ili is a res- 
ilient of Alton; .liilia liecaine the wife of William 
Hopps, of Aurora, 111.; and Louise, who resides in 
the same city, is the wife of Wayne Freeman. 
John Klble remained at home until reaching man's 
estate, his education being obtained in the district 
schools and in Sliurlleff College, where he was a 
student at the time of his father's death. 'I'he 
latter had inai ried for his second wife ]\Ii's. Louise 
A., the widow of Anlliony L. Iloppe, by whom lie 
had two cliiicln'ii, only one of wlioiii, Leouard, is 
now living. 

After leaving college our sulijecl took charge 
of a faiin remaining for about one 3'ear. He 
then engaged with the Drummond Tobacco Com- 
pan3', in whose employ he remained for two 
years. His next venture was to open a notion 
store at Alton, in which business he continued for 
a period; lie then embarked in the bakery busi- 
ness, and after prosi)ering for five years in this 
line he sold out his interest. Trying a new line, 
Mr. Ell)le went into the lifiuor business at the 
corner of Second mikI I'lasa Streets, where he is 
still located. 

The marriage of Mr. Klble occurred in this city 
on .laiiuary 2!t, 1880, to Miss Anna M., daughter 
of 'I'heodore and Henrietta (Loeffler) Arens, who 
were natives of Kiirope. Five children were born 
of this union: Louise, Mamie, lienjamin, Henrietta 
and Fred. Louise and Fred are deceased. 

Mr. Klble was elected Alderman from the Fifth 
Ward ill l«H2, and w.as re-elected two years later. 
On icinoving to the Second Ward he was elected 
Alderman of the same, this being in l8M(i, .and he 
was the lirst (ierman ever elected in that ward. 




In 1884 he w.as m.ade Assistant Supervisor of the 
township and re-elected in 1888 and again in 
18it(l. Freipiently he has been a delegate to coun- 
ty, congressioii:il and stale conventions. Frater- 
nally he is a member of F^rvin Lodge, A. F. ife A. M., 
Oermania Lodye No. 2, I. O. O. F.. and Alton 
Lodge No. 117, A. (). l'. \V. I'cisonally he is 
geiii.'il ill iiiamicr and very popular among his 
11 iiiiii'idiis acini.'iiiitances. 



*-^^l 



^EOROK J. KKLLKY. This well known 
and highly respected agriculturist of .Madi- 
JJll son County is engaged in tilling a portion 
of the soil of the old homestead lying on section 
8, New Douglas Township. This comiirises eighty 
acres, wliicli by liaiil work on his part has been 
made to bloom and blossom. Mr. Kelley was born 
on his present estate September 8, IHIiH, ;xnd is 
llicrcfoic one of the youngest tillers of the soil in 
this township. 

The father of our subject was born in Ireland, 
in County Cavan, May 12, ixiii, ;ui(l departed 
this life October 20, 1882. His wife prior to her 
marriage was .Margaret Casey, daughter of (Jeorge 
and ICIiza (tjuigley) Casey, natives of County 
Meatli, Ireland. Her union with Mr. Kelley re- 
sulted in the birth of four sons and two daugh- 
ters, of whom the original of this sketch was the 
youngest but one. 

Georire J. Kelley w.as educated in the district 
schools of bis native township, and on the dc-ith 
of his father .assumed the management of the 
home place for his mother. The estate is devoted 
to the raising of grain and is also stocked with a 
good grade of horses and cattle. Mr. Kelley 
thoroughly understands the business of a farmer 
and is making a success of his chosen vocation. 

Mrs. Margaret Kelley is a Catholic in religion, 
in the faith of which church she has reared her 
sons and daughters. In politics our subject gives 
his support to the Democratic ])arty, in the success 
of which he is greatly interested. TIk^ parents 
of our sulijecl bolli ciimc to America in 1811, lint 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



383 



did not moot until a 3'ear before tiieir marriage, 
wliieli occurred in 1843. Tlie mother came liither 
in company with two brothers, and was living in 
Newark, N. J., at the time of her union witli Mr. 
Kelley. 

The brotliers and sisters of our subject are, Pal- 
rick, residing in tlie state of Washington, where 
he carried on a farm; Eliza Ann, tlie widow of 
James Cotter; .John, residing on a portin of the 
old homestead; Pliili|i, deceased: and Mary, now 
the wife of James Bell, of New Douglas. 










jENJAMIN P. KLINE, the owner and oc- 

L'-^^ ciipant of ninety-three acres of fine farm- 
(([M)lll ing land on sections 3 and 4, New Douglas 
Township, is one of the most enterprising 
of the agriculturists of this section. He was born 
in Vinton County, Ohio, November 13, 1853, and 
is the son of Augustus and Mary (Moore) Kline, 
natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. 

The parents of our subject moved from the 
Buckeye State to Illinois when Benjamin was only 
three years of age, and after the death of the 
mother, which occurred about 1859, the elder Mr. 
Kline returned to Ohio, where he was married to 
a sister of his late wife, and with her came to Coles 
County and located in Charleston. Erom that 
place he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War, 
serving his country faithfully and well. The 
hardships and exposure of a soldier's life proved 
too much for him and he died in the hospital in 
Jacksonville in 1865. 

Of the four sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Augustus 
Kline, all are living. About six months after his 
father's decease our subject was taken into the 
home of an uncle, who abused him so terribl3' 
that he ran away when seventeen years old and 
began life for himself. This man defrauded him 
out of $400, and, having run through all of his 
own property, nothing could be recovered. 

Hiring out as a farm laborer, our subject worked 
for William Astel for two years and four years 
for a Mr. l^utewiler. Ills next emploj'er was Pete 



Gladbach, and each time he made a change he re- 
ceived higher wages. The following year he 
worked for " Buck " Fink, and then, in company 
with his brother ISIathias R., commenced farming, 
keeping " bach " for a year and a-half, when thej^ 
sold out and our subject went to Missouri and 
later to Kansas. He was married in Emporia, 
that stale, November 4, 1878, to Miss Ann, daugh- 
ter of David and Amy (Wardrip) Blair, the 
former born in Indiana, and the latter in Ken- 
tucky. Mrs. Kline was born in New Albany, Ind., 
October 16, 1860, from which place she accom- 
panied her parents on their removal to Richland 
County, this state. She was at that time eight 
j'ears of age, and two years later Mr. and Mrs. 
Blair went to Elk County, Kan., and after a resi- 
dence there of a short time located in Bates 
Count}-, Mo. We next find them residents of 
Greenwood Count}-, Kan., where they were resid- 
ing at the time of their daughter's marri.age. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kline there have been born two 
sons, Louis W. and Geoige Edward. In |iolitics 
he is independent, reserving his right to vote for 
the best man, regardless of party lines. Sociall}', 
he is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit 
Association and is regarded in that order as a 
man greatly to be esteemed. 



^o a g- a e ai e ^^-aieg&^ife^g'Sig-gig-ae-gif? 



j^\ ANUEL H. BOALS. Among the leading 
and enterprising business men of Alton, 




is classed this gentleman, who has contrib- 
uted largely to its growth and prosper- 
it}'. Among the people by whom he is very well 
known, he is held in most favorable estimation as 
an upright and trustworth}' man in every sense. 
The birth of Mr. Boals occurred April 3, 1833, in 
Venango Count}', Pa., of which state his parents, 
Larue F. and Sarah (Hinny) Boals, were also na- 
tives. The family were residents of Centre Coun- 
ty, living in the town of Boalsburg, which was 
named for them. 

Our subject's father w.as a farmer by occupation, 
and continued eng.aged in that pursuit in Venango 



384 



PORTRAIT AND mOORAPIIICAL RI-X'ORD 



Coiintv until his dcatli, in 1H«2. llo was horn in 
IT'.iT, and f(ir tliiee jjcncrations his .ancestors liave 
been iosi(h'iils of the Keystone Stale, tiinugh they 
were orijiinally from (ieiniany. Tlie aneestors on 
tlie maternal si(h' were also from (Jerniany- In 
polities, Larue Hoals was a Demoerat. and w.as a 
memlier of the Ciimherlaud I'reshyterian Church. 
Ill ills family of thirteen ehildreii who jfrew to ma- 
ture years, all hut six arc still living, and are as 
follows: David; Miiru;aret, John and Jonas, de- 
ceased; George L.; Kranklin, deceased; Manuel II.; 
(Jordon S.; William J., dece.ased; Sarah A.. Eliza 
J., Matilda, and Nathaniel S., deceased. Tlie latter 
was a soldier in the late war. serving under General 
llaneock. and died while in Andersonville Prison. 

Manuel II. Hoals grew to manhood on his fa- 
ther's farm, securing his education in the country 
schools. At the age of nineteen he began learn- 
ing the carpenter's trade, which after completing, 
he followed in Alton. In this city he arrived in 
1854. and soon afterward he entered into partner- 
ship with William W. Martin, who came with him 
to this point. Together they carried on the build- 
ing business for seven years, when in ISfilthey 
bought the planing mill, which they operated for 
thirteen years, at which time Mr. Roals bought out 
Mr. Martin's interest. His plant is now located 
two blocks distant from his former location in the 
old car factory on Second Street, which lie pur- 
ch.ased. Here may be found a general line of lum- 
ber, sash, door and blinds. All kinds of planing 
and mill work are done here in an expeditious man- 
ner. John L., the son of our subject, is now con- 
nected with him in business. 

Among the business interests of Mr. Boals, is 
the Piasa Woolen Mills, which were lirst established 
by Mr. Nichols, and then known as the Alton 
Woolen Mills. Mr. Hoals is President of these 
mills, Mr. Henson, Vice-President; J. H. Thompson, 
.Secretary; and A. Necrman, Treasurer. This com- 
pany emi)loys about fifty hands, and do an an- 
nual business of *1(I0,(I()(). all kinds of woolen 
hosiery and kindred ai tides being manufactured. 
Mr. IJoals is ^'ice-Pl•esident of the Stoneware Pipe 
Company, and besides he h.as considerable real es- 
tate in the city, and farms in Missouri. 

March .5, 18.57, Mr. Hoals and Margaret Logan 



were married, and to them one son, John L., was 
born. The wife and motherdied in .lanuary, 1KC.4. 
The present wife of Mr. Hoals, formerly Juliet .1. 
^'aughn, w.os united in marriage with our subject 
Ai)ril 10, 1867. They have six children: .Minnie 
M., William J., Martha L., Frank S., Larue \l. and 
Harry G. 

In (lolitics, Mr. Boals casts his vf>te for Repul)- 
liean nominees, and deposited his first ballot for 
Fremont. He is a prominent Mason, iH'ing a niem- 
ber (if r.elvidere Commandery, K. T. He is a 
meinbru- of the Congregational Church, giving 
largely of his means and inlluenee to the cause. 



IICAS PfcilTenbergcr. Few men in Madi- 
son County are better known ;ind none 
l^i^ more honored than the one whose name 
stands at the head of thissketch. He was born at 
Dayton, t)hio, November 11, IS.'M. His jiarents, 
John and Klizabeth (Miller) PfeilTeiiberger, were 
born, reared and married in Haden-Haden, (Jer- 
many, and upon emigrating to the I'nited States 
settled at Dayton, Ohio, where the father engaged 
in .agricultural pursuits. They were a worthy 
couple, of good lineage, well educated and faith- 
ful membci-s of the Catholic Chureh. The mother 
died some years ago, but the father, now ninety- 
one years old, still survives. 

In the schools of D.ayton the subject of this 
sketch received an excellent education, and there 
he studied engineering and architecture. In 1857 
he came to Alton, where he h.as since been engaged 
piincipally as architect. In this he has been n ost 
successful, for his buildings are scattered over a 
large extent of country and are models of archi- 
tectural beauty and stabilit}-. In 18()(; he was 
chosen Chief of the Fire Department and served 
until 1872, when he w.as chosen by the people to 
|)reside over the city as M.ayor. This position he 
lillcd with credit to himself four terms, from 1872 
until 18H1. 

With the progress of the best interests of Alton 
Mr. PfeifTeuberger has long been intimately .asso- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



385 



ciated. In 1885 he was elected President of the 
Alton Board of Trade, wliich position he still hokls. 
In 1883 he was cliosen President of the Alton 
Buildinji: it Loan Association, with a capital stock 
of *1,<I()0,000. Two years later he was called to 
the Presidency of the Bluff City Building & Loan 
Association, which has a capital stock of $1,000,- 
000. The Piasa Building ife Loan Association, of 
which he became President in 1879, has a capital 
stock of *5,000,000, and has prosjjered, as indeed 
have all the above named enterprises. 

The i)olitical opinions of Mr. Pfeiffenberger 
bring him into alliliation with the Democratic party, 
the principles of which he ui)liolds by his inlluence 
and ballot. At the present time he is serving as a 
member of the -State Central Committee, and has 
also occupied other positions of honor, to which 
he has been elected upon the ticket of his party. 
In religious connections he is a member of the 
Catholic Church. 



I 



H SAAC SIIERFY, who carries on general farm- 
ing on section 16, Fosterburgh Township, is 
the owner of a good farm of one hundred and 
forty acres, and the well tilled fields and neat ap- 
pearance of the place indicate the thrift and en- 
terprise of the owner, who is justly ranked among 
the leading .agriculturists of the community. Me 
is a native of this count}', and his birth occurred 
December 1, 18.36, in what is now Wood River 
Township. Ilis father, ,]ose))li Shcrfy, was born 
in Tennessee October 29, 1800, and was reared on 
his father's farm; he chose farming as his life 
work. His [larents were of German descent, and 
until their marriage neither one could speak one 
word of English, but after their first child was 
born they began to learn that language. 

■Joseph .Sherf}- was married in Tennessee to 
Mary, a daughter of Jacob Deck, and to her were 
bora ten children, one in Tennessee and nine in 
Illinois. Two died after reaching maturity-. John 
lives near Staunton. Jacob died in St. Louis Hos- 
pital while in the Civil War; Elizabeth is the 



wife of Edward D. Hitchcock; Joseph is a farmer 
in Iowa; Mary A. married Thomas Jenkinson 
and lives in Edwardsville; Isaac is our subject; 
Susan is Mrs. Joseph Whyers, of this county; Abra- 
ham, who was a soldier in the late war, resides in 
Bunker Hill, this state; and Sarah married George 
Brown, but is now deceased. The parents of this 
family were devoted and valued members of the 
Baptist Church. They came to this county when 
Edwardsville w.as but a village and at first rented 
a small farm, l)ut after a short time purchased eighlj' 
acres of the present farm of our subject, which was 
tlien wild timber land. At the time of his death, 
in M.ay, 1884, he was the possessor of one hundred 
and forty-five acres of land. The mother died 
about 1878. 

Our subject received a limited education in the 
old log schoolhouse of primitive fashion, and on 
entering the army, when twenty-six years old, 
could not write a word, but while there was taught 
to write. In 1862 his name was enrolled in Com- 
pany B, Eightieth Illinois Infantry, which became 
a part of the Army of the Cumberland. They 
fought at Lookout Mountain and Murfreesboro, 
and in many other important battles. When at At- 
lanta he wiis wounded several times and was com- 
pelled to go to the hospital. He was taken pris- 
oner at one time, but was shortly afterward pa- 
roled. Mr. Slierfy received his honorable discharge 
on account of disability, in May, 1865, and re- 
turned home on crutches. 

In April, 1868, our subject w.as married to Miss 
Louisa Isch, a daughter of Nicholas and Marj- 
(Swabb) Isch, natives of Switzerland. Mrs. Slierfy 
w.as born near Ann Arbor, Mich., March 2, 1848, 
and by her union with our subject has become the 
mother of two children. Mollie, who married 
George Maiden, lives in Macoupin County; Ida, 
now Mrs. Fred Kriege, resides near her father and 
Is the mother of an infant unnamed. 

Shortly after his return from the army the subject 
of this sketch worked with his father, and together 
they purchased twenty .acres, which tract is com- 
prised in Isa.ac's present farm. It w.as covered 
with wild brush, but by persistent efforts and wise 
judgment they cleared and cultivated it. Our 
subject is now the owner of one hundred and forty 



3sr, 



PORTKAir AND niOGIlAPHlCAL RECORD. 



fine acres and devotes liis time and attention to 
fariniiiir. lie liimsclf picctcil liis present lifmso 
and fino linrns, and the f;uiiil\' live ii] conifoit ;iih1 
pieiity. 

Hcliiiioiisly, Mr. Sherfy :uid family :ire nieniliers 
of liio ISaptist C'linrcli. Soeinlly lie has been eon- 
neeled with the (!r:ind Army of the l{e|nililie until 
lately, liut has withdrawn on aceounl of llie j^reat 
distanee logo. A stanch IJopiililican in polities, 
he always ciusts his vote in fa\;or of the candidates 
of that party. 




' BRAM ALLKN. This honored resident of 
New Dniicrlas is a farmer and fruit-jrrower, 
Is owning and operating fifty acres of fine 
land near the village. He is a native of 
Kentucky and was horn April 3, 1H20, in Chris- 
tian County, near the town of Canton. His par- 
ents, Jackson and Susanna (Starnes) Allen, were 
natives respectively of .Shenandoah County, A'a., 
and Georgia. 

Jackson Allen was horn l'"eliruary 27, 178(i, and 
is the son of Reulien, who was the son of Israel 
Allen; the latter was horn in England, whence he 
emigrated to this countrj', locating in the <^ld Do- 
minion aliout IT.'iO. and later participated in the 
Revolutionary AVar. Reuhen Allen was probably 
born in Virginia, and in 1801 moved to Wash- 
ington County, Ohio. His father owned nian\' 
slaves, and fearing that they might be sold, which 
was contrary to his (Quaker ideas, he freed them, 
forty-three in number. He was married in Vir- 
ginia to a Miss Bird, two of whose brothers, Mark 
ami David, settled near Hannibal, Mo., where the 
latter was appointe<l Receiver in the land oflice. 

After reaching the age of twent^'-two .Jackson 
Allen began running a keel boat on the Ohio 
River, and continued m this business for fourteen 
years, or until his niarriago in 1819. He then re- 
moved tf) Kentucky, where he began farming in 
the county where our subject was i)orn. When the 
latter was a lad of eight years the father lillcd a 
boat with cattle and provisions, and descending the 



river to New Orleans, disposed of them at a good 

price. In 1837 he came to Illinois and (Milcred a 
claim in what is now New Douglas Township, and 
returning to Kentucky, brought his family to their 
new home, making the journey both ways over- 
land. He began farming in the I'rairie St:ite when 
neighbors were few and far between, as properl\' 
lying along the stretch of timber was considered 
more dcsiral>le. 

.lanuary 21, 185G, our subject was married to 
Miss Matilda C, daughter of William and Kllen 
(File) MuUican, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. 
Allen was born in I'.ond County, this st,ate, Octo- 
ber 14, 1831, and died December 18,1882. She 
became the mother of eight cliildicn, of whom 
those living are. Mary ('., Susan M., Ada K., Will- 
iam I. and riKunas J. The girls are all niarricd 
and settled in homes of their own. 

Mr. Allen was a second time married, May UL 
1881, to Mrs. Elniira Starnes, daughter of .Jeffer- 
son and Melissa (King) Davis, natives of Trigg 
County, Ky. Mrs. Allen was Ihwii in Marshlield. 
Webster County. Mo., December 7, 1 S I.'), and by 
her union with our subject there were born the 
following children : Esther, George A. and Oscar, 
the latter of whom is deceased. Mrs. Allen is a 
member of the Haptist Church, while our subject 
worships with the Methodist Church South. He 
is a Mason of high standing, and in politics is a 
Democrat, and has been since casting his first vote 
for I'ierce in 18r)2. 

Mr. Allen's school d.ays were passed in a little 
log cabin located in the timber near his luune, 
which was conducted under the old subscription 
plan. l!y reading and self-culture, like many other 
men of his day. he has obtained a good practical 
education. Remaining at home until past his ma- 
jorit}', ho then started out in life for himself, 
first going to La Salle, where he began work as a 
carpenter. Not liking the treatment which he re- 
ceived from his employer, he left and went to 
Peoria, where he clio|)ped wood through the win- 
ter, and in the spring aided in ccmstructing a 
raft, on which he floated to St. I>ouis. The ex- 
posure and the rainy weather br(uight on an at- 
tack of rheumatism, which laid him up for a se.a- 
son. The proprietor of the boarding-house where 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



387 



he was confinefl taking a fancy to liira, gave him 
em|)h>ynient in io^lving after his place, and he re- 
mained witli liini for two years. Tliat gentleman 
later selling out in order to move to Califor- 
nia, our subject decided to accompany him on the 
trip, hut after leacliingSt. Joseph, Mo., changed his 
mind and returned home, where he has since been 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. 

For nearly twenty years Mr. Allen has held the 
office of .lustico of the Peace, and for the same 
length of time was Notary Public. One term he 
was Supervisor for New Douglas Township, and 
a number of years was Trustee of the School Board. 
He was the first President of the village under the 
new law, which position he has held altogether 
seven years. He w.as Constable from 18G1 to ]8r>9, 
and at the present time is Trustee of the Method- 
ist Church. 



yV/ILLIAM P. La MOTHE, one of the pio- 
/ neers of Alton, was born in Chateaugu.ay, 
Canada, on the 24th of November, 1817. 
His i)arcnts were William and Mary (Sterns) La 
Motlie. The former was born in Detroit, and was 
the son of Peter La Motlie, whose birth occurred 
in Marseilles, France. From there he went to 
San Domingo, where he lived for a time, and then 
set sail for New Orleans, whence he proceeded to 
Quebec, Canada. He was married in that city, 
and later going to Detroit, there became an Indian 
interpreter for the British army during the Kevo- 
lutionar}' War. Being taken prisoner at Vincennes, 
Ind., he was sent to Richmond, where he was 
paroled on a pass from Thomas Jefferson, granting 
him privileges within certain limits around Rich- 
mond. For two years he was kept a prisoner, and 
on being exchanged, went to England. Return- 
ing later, he died on Island St. Joseph, in Lake 
Michigan, meeting his death while out sleigh rid- 
ing- 
William La Mothe was a captain ill the British 
service during the War of 1812, after which he 
settled near Montreal, which was his home until 
his death, in 1832. He was engaged in farming af- 
ter leaving the British service. His widow passed 



away in 1888. They had only two children, our 
subject and Narcissus, the latter of whom is now 
living at IMontreal. 

The boyhood of our subject was passed on a 
farm, and he was educated in the French language. 
At the age of twelve he entered a store at Mon- 
treal as clerk, where he remained live years, after 
which he located in Alton, in 18.37. Here he 
clerked in a dry-goods store for two years, then 
returned to Canada for his inheritance. With 
this, on his return to Alton, he purchased a steam- 
boat, the "Eagle," paying down $500. This boat, 
which plied daily between Alton and St. Louis, 
proved a good venture, and soon afterward Mr. 
La Mothe had another boat built in St. Louis. 
This was a fast packet boat, and was named 
"Louella." It was constructed aliout the year 
1842, and our subject ran her for ten years. He fol- 
lowed steamboating for thirty years, during which 
time he owned twenty-seven boats, some of which 
he built. In those early days many exciting scenes 
were witnessed, and duels and affairs of like nature 
were fought on the decks of his boats. About 
1873 he turned his attention to the jiursuit of 
agriculture, and now operates about one thousand 
acres, much of this being located in Missouri. He 
has laid out a town on his land at the intersection 
of the railroads, which he has named for his family', 
and on which he is erecting buildings. A large 
farm across the river from Alton he is utilizing 
for raising wheat, corn, vegetables and melons, and 
is preparing to engage extensively in blackberry 
culture. 

The marriage of our subject occurred in Alton 
March 29, 1842, to Mary C, daughter of Zephaniah 
I and Mar}' Lowe. They have had eight (children: 
Emeline, who married Francis Gillett, of New Or- 
leans; William E., George A., Arthur and Addell, 
who are deceased; Virginia, who became the wife 
of Dr. Justin McCarthy; Mabel and Charles L., 
the latter of whom owns the Riverside Park. The 
parents of Mrs. La Mothe were natives of Virginia, 
and became settlers of Alton in 1827; they are 
now deceased. Mrs. La Mothe is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, to which her children also be- 
long. 

Things have changed much since the early days. 



388 



PDKTRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



for the Captain reinenihers wlu'ii j^'ikkIs on tin" 
sU'aniois lumiid for St. I.oiiis wiTe ofti'ii iniirki'il, 
"St. Li)uis, ne:ii- Alton."' lie is a Hepulilic.in in poli- 
tics, and formerly was :ui old-line Wliij;. Fra- 
ternally lie iiolds nieniliersliip with the INIasonic or- 
der, and is a Knijfhl 'renqilar. Anioiiij the relics 
prized by the family is part of an old oil painting 
of his father in Hritish uniform. His dau<:htcrs 
are fine artists, and his elei^ant home is adorned 
with many of their choice paintings. Mrs. Mc- 
t'.-irlhy is editor of the Nuiih End lA'dfler. a popu- 
lar St. Louis paper. 'rhou»li well advanced in 
years, tiie Captain is full of energy, and expects 
to live long enough to see the city of his name a 
thriving one. His long residence here and active 
career have made liis name and face familiar, and 
he is much esteemed in this portion of the state. 



1(5). .^^... .^ 



(^^" 



Tsl 



^KPHANIAll 1!. .10I5, whose name is insep- 
arably a.ssociated with one of the most im- 
portant indnstries of the county, was born 
March 13, 1817, in the Shenandoah N'alley, near 
Winchester, Va. His paternal grandparents were 
natives of Germany, and his father, Jacob, w.as 
bom in Pennsylvania. The latter, a farmer by oc- 
cu|)ation, removed to Virginia about 1814, and 
later settled in West Virginia, where he continued 
to reside until 1833. That year witnessed his re- 
moval to Missouri, a journey that was rendered 
eventful by the celebrated falling of tlic stars at 
the time the family crossed the Mississippi River 
from Madison Count}-. 

PiH)Cceding to Lincoln County, Mo., .lacob .lob 
purchased and cleared a farm, upon which he re- 
sided for three years. He then removed to Madi- 
son County, 111., settling in the American Hottom, 
where he had previously entered a tract of land. 
As a tiller of the soil the remainder of his life was 
successfully and quietly i)assed, and he died upon 
his home farm, lie was highly regarded in his 
section, was an active worker in the Democratic 



party aiul a faithful niciriher of the Lutheran 
Clitiich. 

The iiiolhcr of our subject bore the maiden name 
of Mary I'lell. and was born in Tennessee, to which 
state her parents had removed from Maryland. She 
died in 185G, after having become the mother of 
three children, /ephaniah 15., .leremiah and Mary 
K. l!y a previous marriage Jacob Jf)b had live 
childi-en, John, Jacob, (leorge, Moses and Mary. 
The early life of our subject was spent upon the 
home farm, his education being gained in the sub- 
scription schools of the home locality. At the age 
of twenty he became an employe on a flatboat on 
the Mississippi River, and was thus engaged until 
1818. Meantime he invested his earnings in land, 
his first purchase consisting of seventeen and one- 
fourth acres in township 4, range ',). Finally he 
devoted his entire attention to farming and trad- 
ing properly. Success rewarded his exertions: he 
continued to increase his holdings until he w.as the 
owner of about four thousand acres, all under cul- 
tivation except some timber land. C)f this amount 
about twelve hundred acres are located near Fargo, 
N. Dak., and are devotetl to the raising of wheat. 

In 1819, fitting up a complete outfit of w.agons 
and teams, Mr. Job journeyed overland to Califor- 
nia, and after eight3--four d.ays en route reached 
his destination August 1. He w.as somewhat de- 
layed by the loss of some sheep while crossing the 
Missouri River. Upon his arrival in the tiolden 
State he started a trading post at Coloina, and 
later, leaving the store in charge of his half- 
brother, he went into the hills to dig for gold. 
Subseipiently he sold the store and went to Sacra- 
mento, where he purchased a half-interest in the 
Illinois Hotel. This he conducted and at the 
same time was proprietor of a livery stable and a 
ranch, also carrying on the hay business. After 
ten months thus spent he left his store in charge 
of his brother .Icrcmiali and returned cast in IS.'il, 
settling once more in the American Bottom. 

Removing to Alton in 18.51 Mr. .lob erected the 
residence where he has since made his home. His 
California trip proved a most successful venture, 
.as thereby lie accumulated a handsome fortune. 
In 186G he w.is nominated for SherilT on an inde- 
pendent ticket and w.as elected, serving two years. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



389 



In the fall of 1858 he was elected to the Lower 
House of the Legislature on the Democratic ticket, 
serving one term. He was again nominated in 
the fall of 1860, but was defeated by six votes. 

In 1861 Mr. Job started a sawmill, which he op- 
erated for about twelve years, having contracts 
with tiie Government and making of the business 
an assured success. Later he engaged in the coal 
mining business, sinking a shaft and carrying on 
business on a large scale until he disi)Osed of the 
concern. Meantime he bought out the lessees in the 
.lolict prison, holding the contract for about a year 
and a-lialf. In connection with Messrs. Mitchell, 
Buckmuster and Governor Matteson, he started a 
railroad from Alton to St. Louis in 1857, which 
was called the Alton & East St. Louis, and is now 
known as the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis. Through 
his efforts the Legislature passed a bill authorizing 
the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi 
at the present location of the Merchant's bridge. 
In local affairs he has been prominent and has 
served as Alderman of Alton. At one time he 
was a candidate for Ma^'or. 

In 188',l our subject opened, on the Mississippi 
above Alton, a stone quarry known as the Z. B. 
Job Quarry and managed by the company of that 
name. A large business is conducted and the 
quarry is one of the linest in the county. Person- 
ally Mr. Job superintends the operation of about 
one thousand acres of land, and is largely engaged 
in breeding horses and mules. In former ^ears 
he had a good mile track on one of his farms and 
engaged in breeding trotting horses. 

In Madison County, in 1851, Mr. Job married 
Miss Amanda, daughter of William Montgomery. 
There were born to them five children that at- 
tained mature years, namely: James, who lives in 
Alton; Ahce E.; Erederick AV., a niemljer of the 
law firm of McMuidie & Job, in Chicago; Z. B., 
Jr., who is at home; and Murray J., a student in 
the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. Mr. and 
Mrs. Job are members of the I'nitarian Church. 
Throughout his entire life he has been an active, 
energetic man, and probably no citizen of Madison 
County has contributed more largely to its prog- 
ress and development than has he. His vigorous 
and active brain has conceived and carried out 



many enterprises that have been beneficial to the 
state. Though advanced in years he is still vig- 
orous and active. In disposition he is generous, 
genial and charitable, and is held in affectionate 
regard by his fellow-men. 






""02- 



\ll , ENRY MEYER, editor and proprietor of 

fjj) the Alton Banner, is a native of Switzer- 
land, having been born in Luscore, July 
)) 15, 1843. He was a lad of less than thir- 
teen years when in 1856 he set sail for America, 
arriving in this country on the 1st of May. For 
a time he was employed in a drug store, and in 
1859 liegan to learn the trade of a printer in Louis- 
ville, Ky., where he remained a few years. 

At Tell City, Ind., in 1 863, Mr. Meyer started 
his first newspaper venture. He was then a youth 
of only twenty years, but possessed the determina- 
tion, energy and excellent judgment of many 
men twice his years. In 1867 he founded the 
Kansas Staats Zeiiung, which he conducted in 
an able manner, winning the commendation espe- 
cially of tiie German-reading public. Removing to 
Bloomington in 1872, he was there for a time en- 
gaged in the publication of the Bloomington Jour- 
nal. His varied fund of information and ability 
evinced in pointed and terse editorials soon brought 
that pa|)er into local i)roininence, and he con- 
tinued to publish it successfully until 1891, when 
he sold out the i)lant. 

During the same year Mr. Meyer came to Alton 
and purchased the Banner, the publication of 
which he has since conducted with success. The 
paper is devoted especially to the interests of the 
German residents of Madison County, and being 
printed in that language, is widely taken among 
people of that nationality. It is an intelligent ad- 
vocate of true Republican principles, in which it 
exerts considerable inlluence. As it has a wide 
circulation, its value to the community is beyond 
estimate. It is bright and newsy, filled with in- 
teresting social hajipenings, local political affairs 
and matters of general interest. 

On the 1st of November, 1870, Mr. Meyer was 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



united in inaiiiam', al Alton, III., with Miss Cliris- 
tinc liciiK'lv.of this cilv. Twd cliililrcn Moss the 
union, Kose and lioniy. 'I'lio ixjsilion wcupied 
by tlic family in social circles is one of prominence, 
and as a courteous, genial f;entk'inan, Mr. Mc\'er 
is liigldy respected wherever known. 




HKI3ERICK W. .lOKSTING, the leading 
rj) clothier of Alton, was horn in Hanover, 
Germany, .lune ',), IHl.'i.and is the s(jn of 
Frederick C. and Maria ( llahkenioier) Joesting. 
liis father, who was horn in the kingdom of Han- 
over, April 1(>, l.SUT, was a school teacher h\- occu- 
pation, and was thus engaged througiiout his en- 
tire life, dying in 1872. In religious belief he 
was a member of the German Lutheran Church, 
and in that faith he passed from eartii. His widow- 
now makes her Lome with her daughter in Alton. 

In the parental family there were eight children: 
Henry, Frederick W., Gust-ave, Adolph; JOliza, the 
wife of ,I(jhn Koch, of Alton; Johanna, who mar- 
ried F. IJirnard, of Alton; Maiia; and Minnie, 
widow of Albert A. Ernst. The subject of this 
sketch, was educated in the schools of (iermany, 
and also ret'cived instruction under his father's 
lulel.age prior to the age of lifleen. He then left 
home, and starling out for himself, emigrated to 
the I'nited States. He came direct to Alton, where 
an uncle lived, and .secured a position as clerk in 
the clothing business. 

Entering business for himself in 1867, in part- 
nership with William .Sachtleben, he bought out 
his former employer, the firm name becoming Joes- 
ling i^' .Sachtleben. 'I'he connection then formed 
still conlinues. In their store, situated on Third 
Street, they carry a full line of clothing and men's 
furnishing goods, and have a large and increasing 
trade among the people of Madison County. 

At Alton, October 24, 1866, Mr. Joesting mar- 
ried Mi.ss Minnie, daughter of Henry and Maiia 
Nieanhaus. They have had seven children, of 
whom Minnie, Willie and Walter are deceased. 
Those now living are Minnie and Willie (the sec- 



ond l)cariug those names), Mamie and Emma. In 
the (ierman Protestant C'hiireh, Mr. and Mrs. .loes- 
tiiig liiid their religious home. .Socially, he allili- 
ates with Erwin Lodge No. 315, F. <fe A. M., at Al- 
ton, the Hoyal Arch Chapter and llelvidere Com- 
mandery. He is also a member of ( Jermania Lodge 
No. 2, 1. O. O. F. 

Politically a Democrat, Mr. Joesting was in 
1H72 elected Alderman and served in that cap.ic- 
ity until IH77. In IH'.U he was chosen Mayor of 
Alton, and during his term of two >ears he was in- 
strumental in [iromoting many needed municipal 
reforms. During that time was iii.'uiguiate(l tlie 
movement for the paving of the streets, the result 
of which is that to-day there are few cities with 
better paving than Alton, and the work still con- 
tinues. He has always taken an active interest in 
politicks, and is a representative citizen, imbued 
with the spirit of progress. Modest and unassum- 
ing, he is highly esteemed by all who know him, 
and is a credit both to the land of his birth and to 
his adopted country. 



:^M-^4^iiS 



^ IklLLIAM BOND, who is Postmasterat Woi- 
\/iJl/ •'*^'"' III., is a i>roiiiineut farmer and auc- 
'Sns tioneer residing on section ll!,t)mphgheiit 
Township. He is a native of Tennessee and was 
born in Williamson County, February 2,5, 1H32. 
His father, lieiijamin IJoiid, was also a native of 
that state, and coming to Illinois in 1832, entered 
land from the Government, for which he paid 
^1.2;") per acre. The lirst improvenient which he 
placed upon the purchase was a little log cabin, 
10x18 feet in dimensions, which he erec-ted him- 
self. In that the family lived while he cleareil the 
farm, or until such a time as his means enabled 
him to replace it with a more comfortable struc- 
ture. 

In 18t>() the father sold the place to liisson.our 
subject, and moved into Staunton, where he had 
piiivhased property, and lived until Ins decease, at 
the remarkable age of ninety-four years. lie wiis 
known by almost everyoue in the county as one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



391 



of the old settlers, and being public-spirited and 
enter[)rising, contributed his share toward its de- 
veloi)nicnt. lie was a Democrat in politics, which 
jiarty lie believed to be in the right. Grandfather 
James Bond was of Irish descent, and an extensive 
and wealtliy farmer in Tennessee. 

Mrs. Polly (Whitlen) Bond, the mother of our 
subject, was a native of the above state, where 
she met and married Benjamin Bond. William, of 
this sketch, was the fiftli ciiild born to his parents 
and was an infant of five months when the journey 
was made to this county. Mis first schooling was 
conducted in a log cabin, conducted on the sub- 
scri|)tion jiian, and lie remained at liome with liis 
jiarents until ready to establish a home of liisown. 

Mr. Bond was married in 1851 to Miss E. M. 
Wyatt, wlio was born and reared in Macouijin 
County, tiiis state. She was the daugliter of 
Abram and Sarah Wyatt, natives of Tennessee, 
wliu located in the above county in a very early 
day. Wlien ready to commence life for himself 
our subject purchased his fatlier's farm, upon 
wliich he located and began the work of cultiva- 
tion. He lias made this place his home ever since, 
with the exception of three years spent in the 
mercantile business in Worden. This enterprise 
was carried on in partnership with II. C. Picker, 
whose sketch will also appear in this volume. 

Five of the eleven children born to our sub- 
ject and his wife still survive. .Tlilia, the wife 
of lloiiry Bumgardner, lives in Worden; Eliza- 
beth, Mrs. Silas Kill, also makes that village her 
home; Alice M. is the wife of Thomas Kinnikiu; 
William married Miss Catharine Butler; Nettie is 
a school teacher in Worden, wliich occupation she 
has followed since seventeen years of age. Those 
deceased are, Alinira, Wesley, Emma, Mary E., 
Luclla and Essie. 

Jlr. Bond is considered one of the best auction- 
eers ill the state, having calls to "cry goods" from 
all (larts of the country. He lias followed this 
business for the last thirty-two years and is mas- 
ter of the secret of how to get the biggest price 
for his sales. In politics he always votes for 
Democratic candidates, and as a prominent n'lan 
ill local affairs he has been called upon to fill vari- 
ous ollicial positions, among which were Assessor, 



which he held for sixteen years. Constable for a 
period of eight years and School Trustee for many 
terms. 



(^ 



L*7- 



?^| 



^ 



l:®^ 



^ 




YLVESTER A. ISAACS is a farmer living 
on a tract comprising three hundred and 
twenty acres, located on sections 18 and 
19, New Douglas Township. He was born 
in Lincoln County, Tenn., near Athens, Ala., July 
7, 1828, and is the sou of Richard A. W. and Mil- 
dred E. (Walker) Isaacs, natives of Prince George 
County, Md., and Charlotte County, Va., respect- 
ively, the dates of their births being May 15, 1774, 
and January 6, 1796. Mr. and Mrs. Isaacs were 
united in marriage in Tennessee in February, 1823. 

The parental family included six sons and one 
daughter, of whom our subject was the third in 
order of birth. He was in the seventeenth year of 
his age when his father emigrated from the south 
to the Prairie State, first locating in Macoupin 
County, some five miles northwest of Staunton, 
where he died September 29, 1815, just six months 
after he arrived in that locality. For the three 
years succeeding his father's death, young Isaacs 
remained with his mother, and on her second mar- 
riage, left home and began to make his own way 
in the world, working out by the month for farm- 
ers in the neighborhood. 

Five 3'ears later Mr. Isaacs was married, in 1851, 
and renting a piece of land in what is now Olive 
Township, began life in earnest. He was soon en- 
abled to purchase property of his own, his first 
tract including forty acres near New Douglas. 
This he imi)rovcd and sold, and later secured a like 
amount, which in turn w.as disposed of at a good 
profit, when he bought eighty acres included in 
his present fine estate. To this he added as his 
means would permit, until it has reached the mag- 
nificent sum of over three hundred acres, only 
twenty-five of which are in timber land. 

March 31, 1853, the original of this sketch and 
Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of Robert and Lucinda 
(Stephenson) Greening, were united in iiiairiage. 



392 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



The parents of Mrs. Isaacs were natives of Ken- 
tiu-kv, while lier liirth (icc-iined in New Don<jhis, 
NoveinU'i- H, l,s.'5(!. She tlepailed this life March 
31, 1855, and (lur suhject was again married, May 
.•50, 18(;3, to Mrs. Martha IJurnelt. widow of Will- 
iam liurnett, and the daughter of Thoinas 1). and 
Parmclia (Cullivcr) Allen, natives respectively of 
Kenlueky and Tennessee. Her parents reared a 
family of seventei'n children, of whom she was the 
lillh 111 order of hiitli. She was lH)rii on the Htli 
of .lanuary, 1811, near I'aliiiyra, (ireene County. 
Her father and mother moved to C'arlinviUe 
while she was an infant, and after attaining her 
fifteenth year she accompanied lliem to their new 
liomc in IJond County. Mrs. Allen died February 
2(j, 1894, at (iillcspie. Her father departed this 
life at Mount Olive, May 11, 1889. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Isaacs were born twelve chil- 
dren, eiglit of whom survive, namely: Mar}' 
.lane, Robert L., Martha Maria, (ieorge W., Ka<liel 
K., ICiiiily Kllen, Ciiarles I>. and I'eter ].. In poli- 
tics our subject is a Democrat, to which [laity his 
father and graiidfallier l)elonged. For eight ye:irs 
he served a> t'oii.stalilc, and although often called 
upon to hdlil oilier positions of honoi, he always 
refused, preferring to let tlu'se serve the public 
who had not so much to occupy them with their 
own private affairs. 



«CC++++++**+*++4*++++*+++++++X» 



'fi^ ANIKL II. WARNKR, one of the old and 
I ]]) honored residents of Fosterburgh Town- 
^^^ ship, is a model farmer, owning a tr.act of 
sixty acres of excellent land on section 
14. Altogether he has two hundied and twenty 
acres, one hundred and sixty of which are in Bar- 
ton Count}', Mo. He is a native of London, Mad- 
ison County, Ohio, his birth occurring November 
30, 1813. He is the son of William and Susanna 
(Mathews) Warner, and the grandson of .Joseph 
and Ruth Warner; the former was liorn near Mt. 
Vernon, Va., and w.as a farmer all his life. He emi- 
grated to Ohio in an early day, when wild game 
of alt kinds was plentiful and Indians infested 



the neighlwrhood. He wsis a gallant soldier in 
the War of the Revolution and was well ac<|uainl- 
ed with tieneral Washington. 

The father of our subject wsis born iu Vii-ginia. 
I n that state he grew to manhood and was married. 
He then went to Madison County, Ohio, following 
farming llii'i-e until his death, which occurred 
when he was eighty years (jf age. The grandfa- 
ther of our subject lived to reach the venerable 
age of one hundred and eight years. William 
Warner was twice ni.arried, the mother of our sul)- 
ject being his second wife. I>y the lirst union he 
became the father of si.x children, and by the sec- 
f)nd mariiage eight children were born toliim.our 
subject being the si.xth in order of birth. 

The subject of this brief sketch was reared on 
his father's farm and attended the common schools 
in LoihUui. I'pon completing his education he 
received a certificate to teach and was thus en- 
g.aged for the following twenty-six years in Cir- 
cleville, Ohio, and live years in Cpper and Lower 
Alton, this state. He was enabled to pmchase 
land about 1817 in this township, and during his 
vacation he turned his hands to useful employ- 
ments. 

The marriage of Miss Mary Heath and Daniel 
11. Warner look place May 1,1812, at Fostei biirgh. 
Mi's. Warner is a daughter of William and Kinnia 
Heath and was born in this county, her parents 
having come hither at an early day. She be- 
came the mother of eight children, two of whom 
died when (piite young. The living are: Mariette, 
who is the wife of Thomas Titehen:il; L:iura, who 
is married to William T. Wood and lives in this 
township; Ida, now Mrs. Oeorge Wood, ri'sidenls 
of Macoupin C\ninty, this state; Charles, who mar- 
ried Virginia Norris and is oper:iting his father's 
farm; Flora, the wife of Henry Miller, of Macoupin 
County; and Alice, Mrs. .lohn Ost, who is residing 
at home. 

After giving up the occupation of a teacher Mr. 
Warner gave his undivided attention to his farm- 
ing pursuits, having sixty acres, and at one time 
had on his place an apple orchard of twelve acres. 
He is now resting in case and plenty, while his 
son Charles is attending to the home estate. Mrs. 
Warner has been deceased for about thirteen years 




DR. H. R. DORR. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



395 



and was, with her husband, a devoted member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in wliich denom- 
ination the latter Las been Class-leader for the 
past thirty j"ears. Politically, our subject is a 
stanch Rei)iiblican. having left the Whig party on 
the oiginization of the former. His ability is rec- 
ognized by his fellow-townsmen, who have elected 
him Justice of the Peace, which ollice he has held 
eHicicntl}^ for twelve years. He has also served as 
Township Trustee and School Director for a num- 
ber of yeai's. He has also held various other minoi' 
ollices in his township. Mr. Warner has thirty-six 
s^randchildren. 



7/ *M M« tS* SM p^ 




\]l^^ ENRY R. DORR, M. D., who is physician. 
Postmaster and Township Supervisor, resid- 
ing in the village of Worden, was born in 
vv^ St. Louis. Mo., February 11, 1849, and is 
the son of Henry Dorr, a retired farmer, also liv- 
ing in this village. The latter was born in Prus- 
sia July 17, 1821, and was in turn^the son of 
John Henry Dorr, likewise of German birth. 

The grandfather of our subject was a shoe- 
maker by trade and spent his entire life iii his 
native land, passing avvay when in his eighty- 
fifth year. The grandmother prior to her mar- 
riage was Anna Catherine Zink; she dei)arted 
this life in the Fatherland when i)ast her eighty- 
fourth year. 'J'heir family consisted of eight chil- 
dren, ail of whom grew to manhood and woman- 
hood. Conrad is still living in Germany, as is 
also Anna Catherine. Elizabeth is deceased; the 
father of our subject was the next in order of 
birth; Anna is deceased; Catherine is the widow 
of John Guiikel; Julia is the widow of George 
Kuhn and lives in Prairie Town, this county; and 
John Henry is deceased. 

When a lad of seventeen 3'ears, Henry Dorr 
commenced to learn the cabinetmaker's trade, at 
which he served an ai)prenticesliip of three years. 
When establishing a home of his own, he was mar- 
ried in the Fatherland, in 1845, to Mi.ss Sophia 
Sutter, and the following year came with his bride 
to the New World. Arriving in New York City, 
ho remained there one year, working as a ship 
16 



carpenter, and then made his way westward to St. 
Louis, Mo., which place was his home until 1856, 
the date of his advent into Madison County. 
Here he purchased a tract of land on which he 
placed good improvements and made his home 
until 1887, when he retired from' active life and 
moved into the village of AVorden. 

The first wife of Henry Dorr was born in Dort- 
mund, Germany, in 1824, and died of cholera in 
St. Louis, Mo., August 9, 1854. She had live chil- 
dren, all of whom are deceased with the excep- 
tion of our subject. The lady whom Henry Dorr 
chose for his second companion was Caroline Sies. 
On her. death he married Sophia Bender, who is 
also deceased. Mr. Dorr, Sr., is a strong Repub- 
lican in |jolitics, on which ticket he was elected 
Supervisor, Collector and Assessor of his town- 
ship. He is now a Director in the Farmers' Homo 
Mutual Fire Insurance Comijan}', with which he 
has been connected for twent^'-one j'ears, and is 
also a Director in the Farmers' Storm Mutual In- 
surance Companj', for which he has acted as agent 
for the past ten years. Religiously, he alliliates 
with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

The original of this sketch obtained his first 
schooling in St. Louis, and when a lad of eight 
years accompanied his father to this county. Here 
he carried on his studies in the district school, and 
later took a course in Rohrer's Commercial Col- 
lege, of St. Louis. In 1870 he found himself in 
a position to carry out his long cherished ijJan of 
becoming a professional man, and going again to 
the iSIound City took a course in the Missouri Medi- 
cal College, which was formerly the old McDowell 
College. He was graduated from that institution 
March 4, 1873, and located for practice in Ilamel, 
this county'. He remained there onl}' a short 
time, however, when he came to this village, and 
here he soon secured a good |)ationage. 

September 21, 1875, Dr. Dorr married Miss Mary 
F. Belk, a native of this count}', where she received 
a good education. Their union has been blessed 
b}' the birth of eight children, viz.: Sophia, Violet 
v., Charles E., Eva May, Dora Alice, Julia, Alma 
Louella and Walter L. Soi)hia and Julia arc de- 
ceased. ]\Irs. Dorr is a daughter of the late George 
Belk, who died at the age of seventy-two years. 



396 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



Concerning liis life, tlic following is taken from 
!i loeal iiaper: '-rieorge Helk, wiio died ill liis home 
ill Oiiipiijilieiit. Towiisliii), on the 21tli iilt., was 
Ihhii April 12, 1822, in Yorksliiic, England, and 
came to Hallimoie, Ohio, when seven years of 
age. After residing there for several years the 
family moved to Alton, and afterward to Ompli- 
ghent. when he was eighteen years old. He married 
Mifs Doriiida TIndall .laiiuaiy G, 184C. She was 
lioni in Kdwardsville April 2(1, l.s2;i, and died 
Maieh 2M. 1877. To the union nine eliildren were 
born, six of whom are living: Oeorge W. ISelk, of 
Kdwardsville; Mrs. Mary F. Dorr, of Worden; 
Mis. Sarah A. Smalley, of Gariiett. Kan.; Mrs. 
Jennie M. Collawn, of Moriill, Kan.; Miss Dora 
A. ItelU, of Omphghent; and Mrs. Lida M. Larkin, 
of St. Louis. In 1H.')1 Mr. Belk purchased the 
old Tindall homestead, wliere he has since resided. 
Mr. Belk was a well known and higlily respected 
citizen." 

In politics llio Doctor is a true-blue Republican, 
and received his appointment of Postmaster from 
President llanisoii in 181)1. Hewas elected Super- 
visor of the township in 1803, and was the first 
Clerk after its organization, lie has also served 
as Treasurer of the Sclmol I'.oard for fifteen years, 
and in all these various iiositioiis has never failed 
to give satisfaction. He lias been Director of the 
Worden Butter iV Cheese Kactory since its organ- 
ization, and is its present manager. He is also 
the owner of a drug store in the village. The 
Cumberland Presbyterian Church linds in him 
one of its iiKJst valued members. Mrs. Dorr and 
the children are members of the Methodist ICpis- 
copal Chiirch at Worden. The family is one of 
prominence, and its members are highly regarded 
wherever known. 



-M» 






I AMES J. M< INKUNKV,one of the energetic 
business men of Alton and prominent in 
her progress, is President and manager of 
^y the Sentinel-Democrat Printing Coinpan}'. 
His entire life has been spent in Alton, where his 
birth occurred in September, 1853. His parents, 
who were natives of County Clare, Ireland, were 



Austin and Catherine (Downes) Mclnerney. Ow- 
ing to linanclal depression in Ireland they emi- 
grated to America, arriving on the shores of the 
New World in 1818. 

J. J. Mclnerney is the second son in a family of 
eight children, and two of his brolliers are now ac- 
tive in business circles in this cit}'. Making the 
best of his very meagre oiiiwrtunilies for ac(piir- 
ing an education, our subject is mainly self-edu- 
cated, his advantages in tiial line liaving been 
mostly those of the printing ollice which he entered 
when only thirteen years of age. It has been said 
that a printing ollice is a good school of [iractieal 
knowledge, and it is true that many a man who lo- 
da}' occupies a leading position before the world in 
moulding public opinion had little opportunity 
except at the case in his youth. Mr. Mclnerney 
attended "the little red schoollionse" near the old 
homestead for a time, also the Cathedral school, 
and learned his trade of a printer, being promoted 
j from the position of compositor to more important 
work, lie has traveled extensively, working on 
many of the great iiietro]joiilan newspapers. In 
1875 he returned to this city, helping to establish 
the Alton Democrat. Subsequently he started in 
business for himself, and in 1879 began the publi- 
cation of an independent weekly known as the 
Madison Cuvnty Sentinel. This was followed in 
1875 by a daily called the Alton Morniii'j Sentinel, 
which three years afterward was consolidated with 
the Democrat, this making tiie present iiews|)aper 
[iroperty. 

liaving always been imbued with the spirit of 
progress, Mr. Mclnerney embodies the same in his 
editorials and in the management of his paper. lie 
has ever had uiilwunded faith in the future of 
Alton, and in every possililc manner promotes her 
best interests. He favors modern iini)rovemeiit 
and takes great pride in fiutheriiig beneficial meas- 
ures. The circulation of the paper is meeting with 
such an increase that great credit is rellected upon 
the proi)rietors. Oreat changes have taken place 
in the city since his boyhood, and it is one of his 
chief joys to think that he has been al>le to in- 
crease her prosperity by means of tlie press. 

In 1881 Mr. .Mclnerney married Miss Alice 
Mullen, likewise a native of this place, aixl a lady 



POriTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



397 



of superior beauty and intelligence. To this 
union seven children were born, six of whom 
arc living. Tlie family has a pleasant home sur- 
rounilud by beautiful grounds in the residence por- 
tion of the town, known as Middle Alton. Tliis 
section, whicli is in a beautiful bjcatioii, lias many 
natural advantages and overlooks the river and 
the business part of the town. 



+= 



=+ 



W>ILLIAM BADLEY, for many years one of 
tlie most prominent farmers of Wood 
River Township, departed this life Decein- 
lier 15, 1865, greatly mourned by all wlio knew 
him. lie was born in Dudley, England, July 7, 
1814, and was the son of Dr. John Badle}-, also a 
native of that place. His family figured promi- 
nently in the history of that section, and the grand- 
father of our subject occupied a high position as an 
intelligent and skillful member of the medical pro- 
fession during the latter part of the eighteenth 
century. 

Dr. John Badley received an education far in 
advauce of the ^oung men of his day, and carl}' in 
life evinced a love for literary and scientific read- 
ing, for which he was distinguished during his 
long and honorable career. Having passed through 
the ordinary pupilage under his father, customary 
in those days, he proceeded to London and studied 
under John Abernetliy at >?t. Bartholomew's Hos- 
pital. While there he became a ver}' intimate 
friend of Sir William Lawrence, who was also a 
student at that hospital. 

After receiving his diploma, Dr. Badley returned 
to his native town, preferring the quiet of the 
country, and continued to practice medicine until 
reaching a ver^' old age. It was his desire that 
our subject should follow in his footsteps and be- 
come a physician. The latter, even in his early 
childhood, was remarkably studious; and at the age 
■of seven years read Latin readily, and soon be- 
came distinguished for his attainments in classical 
literature. Upon closing his school life, in 1833, 
lie received from the presiding officer, the Rev. 
Proctor Robinson, four works of Aristotle in its 
original language. At that time, and throughout 



his entire life, he read Latin, Greek, French, Italian 
and Spanish as readily as he did Englisli. He also 
possessed a good knowledge of Hebrew, and yet, 
such was his love of freedom from display, or the 
slightest api)earance of egotism, that only his most 
intimate friends knew that he possessed this su- 
perior knowledge. He was perfectly familiar with 
every phase of the financial, commercial, political or 
military history of France, Germany and England, 
and so studious was he and so retentive liis mem- 
ory, that he could give in detail all the incidents 
of every battle fought by Napoleon in all his vari- 
ous campaigns. 

After finishing his academic course our subject 
pursued his jjrofessional studies and became an 
eminent physician. His health was delicate, how- 
ever, and having experienced a severe attack of 
hemorrhage of the lungs, he followed the advice 
of his father and abandoned the iiractice of his 
profession, and in the fall of 1840 emigrated to 
the United States. 

William Badle}' brought letters of introduction 
to his father's friend, the Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers, 
of Upper Alton, upon coming hither, and re- 
mained in his family until the ensuing si)ring, 
when he carried out his desire of making a journey 
to the Rocky Mountains and Mexico. He returned 
with his health much improved, and shortly after- 
ward, in 1844, visited England. Having determined 
to make this country his permanent residence, he 
again crossed the Atlantic and returned to Upper 
Alton. 

In April, 184G, Mr. Badley was united lu mar- 
riage with IMiss Sarah Ann, the eldest daughter of 
Ebenezer and Permelia (Jackson) Rodgers, whose 
sketch will be found elsewhere in this volume. He 
then chose the life of a farmer as being most con- 
ducive to his health, and in this vocation he was 
erainentl}- successful. He i)urcliased a partly im- 
proved tract of land, and soon made of it one of 
the finest estates in the county. This change in 
his occupation did not cause him to abandon his 
studies, but on the other hand, he added many 
select volumes to his already large and valuable 
librai\y. 

William Badley was never ambitious to be ap- 
plauded of men, but his greatest ha|)piness was 



398 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



confined to bis family ciicle, where he was looked 
u|) to and nuicli beloved, lie was extremely mod- 
est and rc'lirinij in disposition, and hence liis ster- 
Mu'^ worth was unknown except to ids most in- 
timate friends, lie %wis a devoted husband, a 
tender and induli^cnt faliier, a kind nciglilxM- and 
faithlul friend, 'riioujjfli a foreigner and strongly 
attached to liis native land, yet lie was greatly at- 
tracted by the free institutions of his adopted 
country. 

During the last years of his life our subject was 
a great sufferer, and in 185'.) took a trip to his na- 
tive land, thinking a voyage might prove of bene- 
lit, but the relief was only temporary. He was a 
true Christian, and it was his custom each morning 
to read a chapter in his Greek testament, and when 
toward the last he called his children around his 
betlsi<le and read and exi)lained to them passages 
of Scripture. 

William Badley departed this life Decemlici- 1.'), 
1865, leaving a widow and seven children, two of 
whom have since p.assed away. The wife and 
mother still survives on the old home place, which 
is one of the most beautiful in the county. After 
the death of her husband, she donated his scientific 
works, which consisted of over one thousand vol- 
umes, to Shurtleff College of Upper Alton. Her 
children who are yet living are, Henry, who was 
educated in the above college, and who is a farmer 
near Golden City, Mo.; Mary P., the wife of 
Henry .Seiter, a banker, farmer and stock-raiser, 
making her home in Lebanon, this state; Sarah, 
who married Henry Hart, and is residing in Chi- 
cago; Ella, the wife of Richard Winchester, a 
farmer living near Bunker Hill, this state; and 
Kbenezer, who owns a cotton plantation near Mari- 
aiina. Ark. With the exception of the eldest and 
youngest, they are all graduates of the Monticello 
schools. 



/^^\A'rniIA8 McGAUGIlKY, a prominent 
I \\\ farmer, honored veteran of the late war 
II IK and early settler of Omphghent Township,- 
'*' Madison County, residing on section 11, 

wxs born in .larvis Township, December 15, 1836. 
The paternal giandfathcr is supposed to have been 



a native of Ireland, and in an early day lie settled 
in Kentucky, where .John McGaughey, the father 
of our subject, wjis Iwrn. The latter came to Mad- 
ison Count}' about 1^30, and took jiart in the 
liiack Hawk War. Here he opened \>\i :i farm, 
which he cultivated until his de.-ith. In politics 
he was a Democrat. He married Margaret .ludy, 
one of the lirst children born in Madison County, 
whiliicr iier father, who was of (ierinaii descent, 
emigrated in 1800. Mr. McGaughey died in IKK), 
and his wife passed away in 1867. They had four 
children, two sons and two daughters, but the lat- 
ter died in infancy, while Samuel resides in Kansas. 

Our subject is the only one now living in this 
county. Amid tiie wild scenes of the frontier he 
was reared, and in the subscription schools held in 
a log building he began his education. His father 
died when he was four years of age, and his mother 
was again married. With her he remaine(l until 
he had attained his majority, when he started out 
in life for himself. As a ciuiipanion ;ui(l lieliimale 
on life's journey he chose Mary Bird, their union 
being celebrated .January 7, 1858. The lady was 
born and reared in this state. I'pon their mar- 
riage the}' located upon a farm in Montgomery 
County, but after two years came to Madison 
County, and secured an unimproved tract of land 
in the township which is now his home. With 
characteristic energy he began its development 
and soon transformed it into rich and fertile fields, 
making it a good farm. There he resided until 
1880, when he came to his present place of resi- 
dence. Here he has made man}- excellent im- 
provements, and now has one of the best farms in 
the community. To Mr. and Mrs. Mcfiaughey 
were born seven children: James; Martha, dr- 
ceascd; William, Maggie, Samuel, Charles and .lohn. 
All reside in Madison County. 

During the late war, Mr. Mc(^.aughey manifested 
his loyalty to the (iovernment by enlisting in 
Company D. One Hundred and Seventeenth Illi- 
nois Infantry. He w.as made a Corporal, and tt)ok 
part in many hard fought battles, including the 
engagements at Pleasant Hill, Tupelo, Nashville 
and the siege and capture of Ft. Itlakely. He served 
for three years, and when the war w.as over w.as 
honorably discharged in Springfield, 111., August 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



399 



10, 1865, and mustered out at Camp Butler. He 
then returned to his home in ]M.idison County, 
wiiere he has since followed farming. He now 
owns and operates one hundred and sixty-five 
acres of good land, and his place is well improved. 
Ill politics ho is a Repulilican, li.as served as 
Township Supervisor, and has held other offices, 
discharging the duties of each with promptness 
and fidolity. 



-^ 







Samuel R. and Lydia (EastlacU) Bucknell, natives 
of tlie Quaker City and of Camden County, N. ,T., 
respectively. The parents were married March 12, 
1848. 

Samuel R. Bucknell was a merchant in Philadel- 
phia, dealing in men's furnishing goods. The pa- 
ternal grandfather of our subject, who also bore 
the name of Samuel, was born in London, Eng- 
land, in 1788, and crossed the Atlantic, setting 
foot on American soil in 1813. A year later he 
•was married to Annie Gazzani, who came of a 
prominent family in Pittsburgh, her brother hav- 
ing been one of the Governors of the slate. Mrs. 
Annie Bucknell died in New Brunswick, N. J., in 
187.5, at the age of eighty-eight years. 

After the birth of two of their children, of whom 
the father of our subject was the younger, Samuel 
Bucknell returned to England, where the third and 
later the fourth addition to the famil}' took place. 
In 1825 they returned to this country, where tlie 
former died in Newark, N. J., in 1854, at the age 
of sixt3--six. His wife was born in Cambridge, 
England, in 1787. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, who was 
named Benjamin, was descended from one of the 
followers of William the Conqueror, who partici- 
pated in the battle of Hastings. Tiie name was 
then spelled Buck-knell and the coat of arms was a 
buck's head, the name Bucknell indicating a race 



of mighty hunters. Tlie wife of Benjamin Buck- 
nell was Joanna Rooker. Our subject's maternal 
grandfather, Simeon Eastlaek, a Quaker, was born 
in New .lerse}'. His ancestors came over wjth 
AVilliam Penn, and his father. Glover Eastlaek, 
was born in America. The wife of Simeon East- 
lack was Rachel Barton, also a Quaker, who was 
born in Camden County, N. .1. 

The original of this sketch first attended the 
schools of Marlton and Haddon field, N. .1., after 
which he went to New York, and was a student in 
the grammar schools for three years. After grad- 
uating he entered the sophomore class of Rutger's 
College, in New Brunswick, N. J., which had been 
founded in 1770 and known .as Queen's College. 
Graduating from that institution in 1869, our sub- 
ject began reading medicine, and shortly after com- 
ing west, joined the engineers' corps of the Iron 
Mountain Railroad and aided in laying out the 
line of the road from Pilot Knob to Texarkana. On 
account of contracting rheumatism in the swann>6 
of Arkansas, our j'oung surveyor was obliged 
to sever his connection with the company, and in 
the spring of 1871 he pl.aced himself under the 
tutelage of Dr. T. B. Spaulding, of Troy, III., and 
in the fall of the following year entered the St. 
Louis Medical College, from which he was gradu 
ated with the Class of '75. 

Dr. Bucknell then located for practice at Al ham- 
bra, this county, where he remained until the 
spring of 1877, when he moved to Shipmau, Ma- 
coupin County. Two years afterward, at the ear- 
nest solicitations of his patrons in Alliambra, the 
Doctor w.as prevailed u[)on to return to that place, 
locating there in 1879. In 1885, however, he 
came to New Douglas, where he has since made his 
home. During his residence in Macoupin County 
the Doctor was Secretary of the Count}' Medical 
Society and has held the same position in this 
county. He also has in his possession a State 
Pharmacist's certificate and is thus thoroughly 
competent to compound his own medicines. 

August 5, 1873, Dr. Bucknell and Miss Marian 
A., daughter of Elder J. M. Cochran, were united 
in marriage, .and to them were born six chil- 
dren, five of whom survive, namel}': Nellie L., 
Samuel K., Martha E., Mariah A. and Annie M, 



400 



POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Inez A., Ilic Vdungest of the fniiiily. ilicd in IHSC. 
The Doctor and his family arc iiipmlicrs of llie 
Baptist Cliiircli. Socially lie is a Mason of high 
standing, liclonging to Shipnian Lodge No. 212. 
In polities he votes with the Pioliiliition part}- 
and has aided greatly in the teniperaiice cause in 
this section. The Doctor lias lieeii a frequent con- 
tributor to medical journals, in which he is greatly 
interested and successful, lie is living on a six- 
acre tract of land in the northwest corner of the 
village, where he has planted an orchard of one 
liundrod trees, and has one acre in strawherries. 



©.SWA LI) F. STUAUBE, one of llip prosper- 
ous (.ieriiian-Aniorican citizens of Alton, is 
engaged in the butcher business and is a 
stockholder in the Alton Packing and Refriger- 
ating Company. His entire busine.ss career has 
been in the field in which he is at present and he 
has been very successful in the same. A native 
of Saxon 3', Germany, he w.as born June 1, 1860, 
his parents being Herman F. and Christina (Barn- 
hardt) Straubc, the former of whom emigrated to 
the United States in the spring of 1870, coming 
direct to Alton. He engaged in his trade as a 
wagon maker, wiiicli he learned and followed be- 
fore leaving his native land. His father, Freder- 
ick, w.is also a native of Germanj% where his death 
occurred. Herman 1"'. Straube departed this life 
in this city in 1881, but his wife is still living. 
In religious belief he w.as a Lutheran, while politi- 
cally' he voted for the Democratic nominees. 

Oswald F., of this sketch, is one of six children, 
in order of birth as follows: Herman I'\, Albert F., 
Tillieand Otto (twins), our subject, anil Louisa, 
now Mrs. Charles Perrin. With his brothers and 
sisters, O. F. Straube attended the excellent schools 
of his native land, and after coming to Illinois 
worked with his father in his shop at wagon- 
making. When about sixteen years of age he left 
home 1^1 make his own way in the world and en- 
tered the employ of Herb A' Scheston, butchers of 



Altdii. Ill IMM.") he engaged in business for him- 
self, with Alfred A. Satier as partner, under the 
firm name of Stiaiil)C it Satier. Their business 
house w.as located on Belle Street, where they 
iMiught out August Luer. On the expiration of a 
perifid of three years the firm openeil business at 
their present place. No. 329 Belle Street, where may 
be found a general stock of fresh meats, hams, 
.sausages and smoked goods. The business is con- 
stantly increasing and the partners are doing well. 
Since fifteen years of .age our subject has been con- 
nected with the market business and is well ac- 
quainted with all the details and best methods for 
conducting the trade. With his brother he owns 
an interest in the old homestead. 

The marri.age of Mr. Straube and Miss Bertha, 
daughter of Fred Dependahl w.as celebrated Octo- 
ber 23, 18'Jl. They have one child, Walter Os- 
wald. Our subject belongs to the Lutheran de- 
nomination, while his wil'o liolds membership with 
the Presbyterian Church. In politics our siilijecl 
supports the Ropublican party. He is a thriving 
ami industrious business man and enjoys ihegixid 
will of his friends and customers. 






w^DWARD ENGEL, M. D. The subject of 

|W) the following sketch is the leading physi- 
;l'-_-^ cian of Prairie Town, where he has resided 
since 1877. He was born in Algiers, La., .liily 8, 
18.'')(), and is the second son of three childicn born 
to his parents, .lohn C. and Klizabetli (iMigclinan) 
Engel. They were natives of the Fatherland, and 
emigrated to the New World in 1818. 

The elder Mr. and Mrs. l^ngel returned to their 
native lioine in IHlil, where they are now living 
retired. Our subject accompanied them on this 
journey, it being his desire to perfect his educa- 
tion in some of the schools for wliicli (icnnany is 
so noted. When coming again to America he en- 
tered the St. Louis Medical College, and after com- 
pleting the course received his diploma, which en- 
abled him to practice. 

Wlieii looking about for a suitable location Dr. 
Engel saw a good opening in Prairie Town and has 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



401 



made tliis iilace the scene of liis operations since 
1877. lie was manierl February 7, 1888, to Miss 
Mary Engelite, vvbo was born in tliis county iu 
1862, and is tlie daughter of Charles and INIary 
Engelke. To them has been born a family of two 
children, Arthur and Til lie. 

The Doctor keeps abreast with the times in his 
profession, availing himself of all possible sources 
of information in his beloved calling, but his suc- 
cess lies in his great sympathy, as well as his supe- 
rior skill and knowledge. 



=^-^+^^ 




OL. EDWARD A. BURKE. The disposi- 
tion of the planets at the hour of the birth 
of the subject of this memoir must have 
been exceedingly favorable, and the horoscope, 
had it been taken, would have foretold a useful, 
happy and successful career, and the character 
won destined to east sunshine rather than shadow 
over the pathvvays of life. The event referred to 
look place some two score years ago. It was not 
during- the spring or summer months, when roses 
and flowers bloom, but at a time when the snow 
and frosts of winter hold sway, indicating that 
the journey of life would not be one uninterrupted 
course of success or happiness, but chilling blasts, 
as well as fragrant zephyrs, would be at times .ac- 
companiments. 

Edward A. Burke is a native of Alton, where 
his birth occurred on New Year's Day, 18.52. His 
father, Robert Burke, a native of Ireland, who 
emigrated to the United States in the '30s, lo- 
cated at Alton, where he was engaged in contract- 
ing. When the Mexican War broke out, he 
emphasized his devotion to the country of his 
adoption by entering the service and remaining 
throughout the entire war in Colonel Hart's regi- 
ment. He was wounded at the battle of Buena 
Vista, and did gallant service. After his return 
from the war he married Mary Staunton, who 
was a native of Massachusetts, and they became 
the parents of six children : William T., now at 



Bowling Green, Mo.; the subject of this sketch; 
.Tames T., also of Bowling Green; John S.,a farmer 
in Pike Countj-, Mo.; Anna E., who married E. 
C. Muck, of Alton; and Agnes A., the wife of 
John II. Collins, of Kans.as City. The father was 
an ardent patriot and was held in high esteem by 
the people. At every Fourth of July celebration 
he was honored by his fellow-citizens and saluted 
by the cannon. 

Colonel Burke was reared in Alton, where he 
h.as made his home principally. During his youth 
he had but few educational advantages, but Later 
received instruction from private teachers and at- 
tended night schools. His first occupation was 
that of a brakeman on the Alton Railroad. In 
1873 he was given charge of Capt. D. C. Adams' 
oil factory, where he remained until 1881. We 
next find him Su[)erintendent of the Alton Gas 
Light Company, at which he served until nomi- 
nated by the Republicans for Sheriff of Madison 
County. In the fall of 1880 he was elected and 
served a term of four years. Next he w.as nomi- 
nated for the post of County Treasurer, but was 
defeated. He was appointed storekeeper for the 
Chester Penitentiary, in which capacity he acted 
for two years, then returned to Alton. 

Subsequently Colonel Burke formed a partner- 
ship with David Ryan under the firm name of 
Ryan ife Burke. They engaged in contracting and 
have continued in that business with marked suc- 
cess since. Nearly all the street pavements and 
sewer work of Alton have been done by this firm, 
which has established a wide reputation for the 
completeness and durability of its work. The 
Colonel served as Alderman of the First Ward 
from 1879 until 1887, and was one of the .active 
and wide-awake public men of that period. In 
1888 he was appointed Aidc-de-Camp on Governor 
Filer's staff, serving throughout that administra- 
tion. In politics the Colonel is well known to be 
a stalwart Republican. Fraternally, he is identi- 
fied with the Knights of Pythias. Oftentimes he 
h.as been at the head of political committees, and 
is thoroughly conversant in political affairs. His 
influence in his own party haS been potential for 
manj' years. Personally there are few more pop- 
ular or favorably known citizens of Madison 



402 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 




County than the Colonel, :inil his counsels have 
always l)cen regaidod as judicious and safe. He 
is pssonlially a self-made man, his success in life 
liavini; l)een achieved by hononiljlc methods and 
the most strict iiitejjrity. lie is regarded as one 
of the best sheriffs the country has ever had, 
always being at his post of duty and discharging 
his affairs in an eHicieut manner. Prominently men- 
tioned as a candidate for election this fall, there 
is no question but that he would succeed should 
he .accept the numination. His friends, who are 
numerous, are (irm and true to him, and .as a citi- 
zen he is one of whom Alton may well be proud. 



••^^l 



-^(UGUST WK.STKRHEIDE, who is a proini- 
iiwytJIi nent farmer of Madison County, makes his 
home on three hundred and twenty acres 
of land pleasantly located on section 33' 
New Douglas Township. He is a native of Prus- 
sia, and was born August 11, 1840. His father, 
wIkj bore the name of Frederick Westerheide, was 
also iKjrn in the Katheiland, in 17iin,and dejiarted 
this life twenty-eight years ago, when in his sev- 
entieth year. He was a farmer b^' occupation and 
the owner of seven .acres of land in Germany, 
which was equal to an estjUe ten times that size in 
America. 

In 1817 the father of our subject disposed of 
his farm in (Jermany, and with his wife and fam- 
ily of six cluldrcn, set sail for the New World. 
OiU' subject was the sec(Mid in order of birth and 
was a lad of seven j-eai-s when he made the trip 
across the Atlantic. Tliej- embarked on a vessel 
at Antwerp, and after a voyage of eight weeks 
antl three days landed in New Orleans, and as- 
cending the Mississippi River,were delayed at Cairo 
for seven weeks. Din-ing their stay there the fa- 
ther and eldest son chopped wood in order to p.ay 
the expenses of the family', receiving ^1 per cord. 
After the opening of navigation the parents of 
our subject proceeded to St. Louis, where I'redcriek 
Westerheide worked at whatever In' could liiid to 



do, sometimes making as much as *,5 per d.iy. His 
death took place in 1860, and his good wife sur- 
vived him ten years, dying at the home of our 
subject in 187<). August completed his education 
in tlie public schools of the Mound City, after 
which he aided his father in working in a brick yard. 
Soon thereafter he learned the trade of a cabinet- 
maker, receiving for his labor the first year '^'lii, 
the second year i'4(l and the succeeding year 
*G.'). Pefore his term of apprenticeship expired, 
however, the Civil War broke out and young 
Westerheide entered the ranks of the I'nion army, 
enlisting in St. Louis in C'omi)any 15, Fifth Mis- 
souri Infantry, in the three months' service. At 
the expiration of that time he went to N.ashville, 
Tenn., where he was employed building bridges, 
etc., until ordered to lake up arms. Later his reg- 
iment proceeded to Hiclunond, but before reaching 
that place the war was over. 

Returning to St. Louis, our subject worked at 
his trade for two years, but belu'ving that he 
would reap better results as an agriculturist, came 
to Douglas Township, this county, when' he rented 
a trad of land and began itscultivation. He then 
purchased one hundred and twenty acres, to which 
he later added a like amount, and as his cwcum- 
stances would permit iucreiused his acreage, until 
to-day he stands at the head as a prosperous and 
well-to-do agricultuiist. 

March 16, 1877, August Westerheide and Miss 
Amanda Ilousie, a native of Prussia, were luiited 
in marriage. She was brought to America by her 
parents when an infant, and by her union with 
our subject has become the mother v( four chil- 
dren, Sophie, Charles, Millie aiul Oscar. Mr. and 
Mrs. Westerheide are members in good standing 
of the Presbyterian Church in New Douglas. In 
politics our subject votes with the Democratic 
party during national elections, but otherwise 
casts his ballot for the man who in his judgment 
will l)est (ill the ollice. 

Mrs. Weslerlieidi' is the daughter of .loliii and 
Eve (.Schwarz) Ilousie, natives of Pru.ssia, where 
Miss Amanda was born M.ay Ifi, 18()1. She w.as 
the fourth in order of birth of their family of 
.seven cliililicn, and emigrated with them to this 
country in 1M(>2. Mr. anil !Mis. Ilousie laiideil in 




J 
J 



o 

H 



Z 



as 



as 



O 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



405 



New York after a pleasant V03"age, whence they 
proceed t'd to Staunton, this stale, nnfl from there 
to St. I>ouis. Later tliey came to this county and 
are at present residing on a farm adjoiiiinc; the 
estate of our subject. 



^>^^<m=^ 



ENRY OUSEWELLE, a prominent farmer 
)!] and well known horse dealer of Madison 




County, living on section 28, Omphghent 
Township, was born in Prussia, Germany, 
on the 22d of Eebruary, 183!). His parents, Fred 
and Engal (Uartels) Gusewellc, were botli natives 
of German}', and the father was a shoemaker by 
trade. Emigrating to America, his last days were 
spent in Madison County, where he died attiieage 
of fift3'-five. His wife was called to her final rest 
when tifty-four years of age. They were tiie par- 
ents of the following children: Engal, Henry, Gott- 
lieb and Conrad, twins; Ernest and William, twins, 
and Christian. 

Mr. Guscwelle of this sketch spent the first 
eighteen years of his life in the Fatherland, and 
then crossed the briny deep to the New World, 
coming at once to Madison Count3\ He had ac- 
(juired his education during seven years' attendance 
at the public schools of his native land. He h.ad 
no cai)ital when he located here, and to earn a live- 
lihood began working as a farm hand, receiving 
¥1.50 per jcar in comiiensation for his services. He 
was em))loyed by Christian Sclicer for three years, 
after which, in 1861, he responded to the country's 
call for troops, enlisting in the Fifteenth Missouri 
Infantry, but on account of sickness could not go 
to the front with that regiment. Later he joined 
Compaii}' D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illi- 
nois Infantry, and for three years served as a pri- 
vate, taking part in many important engagements, 
including those at Pleasant Hill, Nashville and Ft. 
lilakely. When the war was over he was honor- 
ably discharged and mustered out at Springfield. 

Ere going to the front, Mr. Guscwelle had pur- 
chased forty .acres of timber land, a part of his pres- 



ent farm, and built thereon a log cabin, which .was 
occupied by his parents while lie was at the south. 
On his return he began the development of his 
land, and from time to time has extended its 
boundaries until the farm now comprises three 
hundred and twenty acres, the greater part of 
which is highly cultivated. He has also erected 
thereon a house valued at -$3,000, two good barns 
which cost $1,000 each, and many other buildings, 
which add to the value of the place and indicate 
to the passerby the thrift and enterprise of the 
owner. He also keeps some fine stock, including 
thoroughbred horses. He owns two of the finest 
stallions to be found in this part of the state. 

In 1875 Mr. Guscwelle was united in marriage 
with Sophia Battermann, a native of Prussia, who 
on emigrating to America went direct to St. Louis, 
and thence came to Madison County, when a 
young lady of twenty years. In the family are 
two children, Sophia, wife of Henry Maehle, a 
prominent farmer of this township, and William, 
who married Anna Dubbeldce, and resides on the 
old homestead. Mr. Gusewellc holds membership 
with the Lutheran Church, and for six years served 
as Trustee. In his political views he is an inflex- 
ible Republican, and for thirteen years served as 
Ilighw.ay Commissioner, discharging his duties 
with a promptness and fidelity which won him 
high commendation and led to his long retention 
in office. 



:^#e= 



■^'AMES WESLEY BEALL, a member of the 
firm of Beall Bros., of Alton, is a native of 
this city, and was born here March 23 
^^ I8C7. He is a son of Charles and Annie 
(Whitehead) Beall, both natives of Illinois. After 
prosecuting his studies in the public si^hools, our 
subject was placed in the niaiuifaeturing estab- 
lishment of his father, and there learned smithing 
and was subsequently taken into the firm as part- 
ner. 

The original of this sketch was married in this 
city, .January 5, 1887, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter 
of Peter and Maiy (Rutledge) Pereival, natives 



4<)(> 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of En<il:iii(l. TIh' fMtlicr iro.sscd tlic Ail;inlic in 
1852, anrt his wife also came to America about the 
same lime. Tiie parents of Mrs. Cliarlcs lieall 
were .lames and Jane Wliiteliead. Tiiey located 
in Naiivoo, this state, where they were livin-j at 
the time .loscpli Smilli made his home there. Mr. 
Whitehead was a i^atler l)a\' Saint in religion, 
and .■lidcd in Uio hiiilding of the temple at the 
above place, lie now belongs to the re-organized 
Latter Day Saints, and is at present living in 
Lamoni, Iowa, where he is one of the Apostles 
an<l has attained his eigiity-fourth y(iar. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ueall of this sketch are the par- 
ents of three children: Ktliel, Charles and Pereivnl. 
In polities the former is a pronounced Republican, 
and is greatly interested in the success of his 
l)arty. He stands verj' high in Masonic circles, 
belonging to Piasa Lodge No. 27, and Constantine 
Lodge No. .■)/), K. P., of which he is Past Chan- 
cellor; he is also Captain of the Uniformed Rank, 
Alton Division, K. P. Our subject is one of the 
rising young business men of tliis city, and being 
thoroughly familiar with liis line of business, is of 
much value to the lirm. 



^^^F^^^N *gt^ ^^^^?^^^^^^^* Tp^f^^^^^vT^ ^7K^ >W^ ^JK^^vrt^ 



^S!^EOR(!K DICKSON, Surveyor of Madison 
f| I g— , County, was born April 22, 1848, in the 
^^sS! ^^^y "^ Alton, where he has since resided. 
He is the son of Mark Dickson, a native of theOld 
Dominion, born in 1814, whoin childhood accom- 
panied his parents to Ohio and settled in Middle- 
town. His father, also named Mark, was an exten- 
sive and successful business man; for some time 
he conducted a (louring mill, and also owiumI and 
operated a distillery. 

In the year 1840 our subject's father came to 
Alton, and settling in the citj', engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising; he also conducted a livery 
business in Alton, and was engaged in these occu- 
pations at the time of his death, in .lune, 1850. 
As a citizen he wa.s progressive, as a farmer cap- 
able, as a neighbor popular and as a friend kind 



and liciiiliil. IIi> |>iiliti(':il alliliations brought liim 
into co-operation with the Democratic partj-. He 
married Miss Maria Mallen, a native of Montreal, 
Canada, whither her parents removed from Ire- 
land. Her father, .lames Mallen, removed from 
Canada to Philadelphia, Pa., and there he died 
when Maria was liflceii years old. Her mother, 
whose maiden name was Alice Gordon, was of 
.Scotch l)irlli and acou-^iu of Lord ISyroii; she died 
in Canada. 

After the deatli of her father. Miss Mallen re- 
moved to Alton with friends, and here she met 
and married Mark Dickson. In religious belief 
she was a Presb^'terian and in tliat faith she died 
in March, 1881. Her marriage resulted in the birth 
of four children, one of whom died in infancy. 
The others are, Mary, the wife of Ca])t. Ldward 1). 
Young, of Alton; George, of this sketch; and Mark, 
whose home is in Alton. On both sides of the fam- 
ily our subject is of patriotic lineage. His grand- 
father, Mark Dickson, was a valiant soldier in the 
War of 1 HI 2, and his maternal uncle, .lames Mallen, 
served in the war with Mexico. 

The subject of this sketch was reared at home, 
securing the rudiments of his education in the pub- 
lic schools of Alton and supplementing the in- 
formation there obtained b3' a course of study in 
Shurtleff College. After leaving school he was en- 
gaged in surveying for the Kansas City & Ft. Scott 
Railroad for a short time, and afterward w.as em- 
ployed with the county and city engineer for 
three years. In 1884 he was elected County Sur- 
veyor, which position he held for four 3-ears. In 
1888 he was defeated in the race for tlie ollice. 
While serving as County Surveyor he also tilled 
the positifui of City Kngineer, in both of which ca- 
pacities he displayed the possession of a thorough 
knowledge of his chosen occupation, together with 
sound judgment and untiring industiy. In 1892 
he w.as again nominated by the Democratic party 
and elected b^' a handsome majority for a term of 
four years. At one time he was agent for the Chi- 
cago, Burlington iV tiuiney, and also for a steam- 
boat line. 

Socially Air. Dickson is a member of the Ma- 
sonic order and the Knights of Pythi.as. He isal- 
so connected with the State Society of Kngineers. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



407 



Ilis long service as a public otfieial deinonstratcs 
the fact tliat lie is an able and faitliful ollicer and 
also proves his popularity willi the people, whose 
respect he enjoys to an iMiiisnal dejjreo. 



_^1 



~SD 



i^+^l 



[^ 



[S~ 



'~S) 



!/_ ENRY O. TONSOR, engaged in business 
* in Alton, is a native of this city, and 
1*^^ was born here November 27, 1857. He 
is the son of John M. and IMar^' (Maxinor) 
Tonsor, the former of whom was born in Fursten- 
berg, Germany, and emigrated to the United 
States in 1848, landing lirst in New Orleans, where 
he remained for four years. Thence he came to 
tills city, where he made his home until his de- 
cease, November 28, 1891. He was one of the 
lu'oiiiinent merchants here, carrying on a good 
business until retiring from .active life in 1883. 
He w.as always interested in the welfare of the 
community, which he served for ten years as Su- 
pervisor, and at one time w.as Alderman. His 
gf)od wife died in this city in 18G4. Tiie father 
was a second time married, this union being with 
Maiy Base. She is also deceased. 

The early life of our subject was spent in at- 
tending the parochial schools, after which he .as- 
sisted his father in carrying on his business of 
wholesale lupior dealer. Upon the latter 's retire- 
ment, our subject succeeded to the business, which 
he has engaged in eversince. He h.as .as partners 
at the present time Philip Schmidt and George 
Dick, tlie firm being Icnown as H. (). Tonsor & 
Co. Their cstablisiiment is kicated at Nos. 626 
and 628 East Second .Street. 

The original of this sketch was married July 
31, 1878, in Alton, to Miss Louisa Beer, daughter 
of J.acob and Mar}' (Aliman) Beer, natives of 
Switzerland. The father is now deceased, while 
Mrs. Beer makes her home at Highland, this state. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Tonsor have been born six chil- 
dren, viz.: .lolin, Sf)i)ha, Oscar, Florence, Pauline 
and ] da. 

In politics our subject is a pronounced Demo- 



crat, on which ticket ho was elected Supervisor in 
tiie spring of 1891, and re-elected to the same po- 
sition at the expiration of his term. He is a mem- 
ber of the Masonic order, belonging to Erwin 
Lodge No. 315, Alton Chapter No. 8, and P)elvi- 
dere Commandery No. 2. He is likewise con- 
nected with the German Benevolent Society, and 
is a member of the Standard Band. He has taken 
a very active part in the politics of his party, and 
has served many times as a delegate to its various 
conventions. He is public spirited in matters that 
will advance the interests of Alton. 



^>^^<^^ 



-{- 




r^l)ENJAMIN H. EDEN, an able and rising 
'^'^ young architect of Alton, was born in this 



city February 6, 1873, and is a son of 
Christopher and Marie (Tobiasen) Eden. 
His father, who was a native of Germany, emi- 
grated to the United States at the close of the 
Franco-Prussian War, in which he took part. .Set- 
tling in Alton, he has since made this city his 
home and has conducted an extensive business as 
a contractor. 

In 1886 Mr. Eden entered the oflice of Lucas 
Pfeiffenberger, the distinguished architect, under 
whose careful supervision he conducted his stud- 
ies for six years, in that way gaining a thorough 
theoretical knowledge of the profession. That he 
might be better qualified to pursue his chosen 
occupation he learned the trade of a carpenter. 
In January, 1894, after h.aving mastered l)otli 
branches of building — architecture and construc- 
tion — he started out for liim.self, opening an ollice 
in the McPike Building on Second Street. 

Of the success thus far attained Mr. Eden has 
every reason to be proud. Since he opened his 
office he h.as drafted plans for about a score of 
buildings and superintended tiieir construction. 
He is raiiidly building up what without doubt 
will be a large and prosperous business, and he 
already has one assistant. Both by natural gifts and 
thorough training he is admirably adapted for the 



408 



K)RTI{AIT AND niOHRAPITICAL RECORD. 



profession lie has clioeen for his life \v<irU,;iii(l tlic 
fiiliii-p years will undoubtedly hrinj;: iiini :in ever 
inercasing prosperity. 

While not actively interested in pdlilical affairs, 
IMr. Kden is thoroughly posted coiu-orninjii; tlie 
"jroal issues of the present age, and is intelligently 
informed in matters of public import. Ills politi- 
cal belief brings him into alliliation with the 
Democratic part}', to the principles of which he 
never fails to give his support. Me was reared in 
the Lutheran faith, to which he still adheres. 



•^^I@^@l^^^«^=^ 



f/^-^ ORATIO W. CIIAM15KRLAIN, the Icad- 
)j ing druggist of Alton, is highly respected 
among his fellow-citizens and is one of the 
wQ\\ substantial business men of the city. He is 
a native of St. I.ouis, Mf)., where his birth occurred 
December !(!, ISl,''). Ills parents were Edwin A. 
and Cclilia (Uucivlev) Chamberlain. The fornicr 
was a native of Salem, Mass., born in 1821, and 
with his family removed to Jacksonville, tliis 
state, at an early period. Tiie paternal grandfa- 
ther of our subject. Timothy Chamberlain, came 
from an old \'irginian family and followed farm- 
ing in that state. 

Our subject's father was reared <in the old 
homestead in Illinois until about eighteen years 
of age, when he left home and set forth to make 
his fortune. Proceeding to St. Louis he there en- 
gaged in the business of carriage trimming for 
several years. About 18r)8 he went to Keokuk, 
If)wa, which was his home until his demise, in 188(!. 
Ili> widiiw survived liim two years, dc[)arting this 
life in IH.SH, at Keokuk. Mr. Chamberlain was 
prominently connected with the IndependenlOrder 
of Odd Fellows. 

In his parents' family of eight children Horatio 
W. is the eldest. The others are as follows: Ella, 
Erank, Edward, Cora, Thomas, Arthur and Lily,, 
all living with the exception of Ivlward. The 
early education of our subject was obtained in the 
public schools and High School vf Keokuk, and he 



also for a tinu' atlemlcd a private institution. On 
arriving at man 's estate, in 181)1, he entered the 
drug business at Keokuk with .lohn H. Hooper, 
remaining there for about six years. In the year 
18G8 he came to Alton and for a year was a 
clerk for W. A. Ilollfui i^- Co. His next l)usiness 
venture was to embark in business with A. S. & 
William liarry, on Thii'd Street. This connec- 
tion existed for some two years, at the end of 
which time our subject purchased the Harrys' in- 
terest, continuing in the business alone for eight 
years. During a portion of this time W. P. Ilagee 
had been in his emi)loy as a clerk, and he now 
took him in as a partner. However, at the end of 
two years Mr. Chamberlain purchased Mr. Ilagee 's 
interest and has since continued in business alone. 
His store is well equipped with a general line of 
drugs and is first class in every respect. He is a 
reliable druggist and has built up a prosperous 
trade. 

Mr. Chamberlain was married October 4, 1870, 
to Miss Julia M. (iillham, daughter of one of the 
oldest settlers in Madison County, Cyrus (iillliam, 
rthose death occurred many years ago. Two chil- 
dren were born of this marriage, Ilari-y and Ed- 
ward. The niiitlicr died ,luly (i, 1880, her son 
Edward having died only a short time previous. 
The elder son died in 1881. The present wife of 
^Ir. Chamberlain, formerly Miss Anna Louise Ho- 
meyer, became his wife in March, 1882, and to 
them have been born live children, Louise, Ashley, 
Leslie, Lucile and Harold, all of whom are living 
except Louise. Mrs. Chamberlain was formerly 
of St. Louis, and isa daughter of Henry Ilomeyer. 
In politics our subject votes with the Democratic 
l)arty. 



J^ 



^fig^iOLNEY MOORE h.as spent his entire life in 
V/ '^ladison County, and is the jjos-sessor of 
"^Y' two hundred and twenty broad acres, on 

which he is now enjoying peace and comfort in 

retirement from the hard labors of his early years. 

The farm is located on section 31, Jarvis Town- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD. 



409 



ship, and is the same estate on which our subject 
was born January 20, 1821. 

Volney Moore is the son of David and Henri- 
etta (Downing) Moore, the former of whom was 
born in Kentucky. He came to Illinois in 1800 and 
made liis home on tlie bluff, at wliat is now known 
as Sugar Loaf Mound. lie was a man of untiring 
energy, possessed a keen and vvell l)alanced mind, 
and made liis home in tlie latter place until his 
decease, in 1830. His good wife, the mother of 
our subject, was born in South Carolina and was 
brought to this county by her parents when a 
child; she dei)arted this life in 1815. Her father, 
.lames Downing, built a station here which was 
named in his honor; he was a Revolutionary sol- 
dier. 

Robert Moore, the great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was an old Revolutionary soldier and also 
made his home in this county, dying at .Sugar 
Loaf Mound, which is located about two miles 
northwest of Collinsville. The brothers and sis- 
ters of our subject are as follows: Robert, born 
.lanuary 30, 1810; Delilah, February 18, 1811; 
Lydia, September 17, 1812; Philip W., December 
11,1814; Dinah, February 10, 1817; Thomas P., 
March 13,1819; Daphne, January 3, 1823; Zanetta, 
A\n\\ 3, 1825, and Joseph, who was born November 
15, 1827, and died Jvdy 15, 1830. Volney had 
very limited advantages for obtaining an educa- 
tion and was only permitted to attend the subscrip- 
tion schools in his earlier years. He has always 
followed farm pursuits and lias had charge of 
the old homestead since eighteen years of age. It 
comprises two hundred and twenty' acres of valu- 
able and highly improved farming land and on it 
Mr. Moore is now living retired at the age of sev- 
enty-three years. Here he intends to spend the 
declining years of his useful life in the enjoyment 
of the competency that he has secured b}' his in- 
dustry. 

Mr. Moore of this sketch was married in 1844 
to I\Iiss Nancy, daughter of Caleb and Elizabeth 
(Miller) (ionterman, who were classed among the 
early settlers of Madison County. Tiieir union 
resulted in the birth of thirteen children. Jacob 
resides near Edwardsville; Jane married Lcander 
Joseph and makes her home in Missouri; William 



is a resident of this county; Lienl is living in Mis- 
souri; Charles is engaged in business in Edwards- 
ville; and Dai)hne, Mrs. Samuel Simpson, makes 
her home in Collinsville. 

The wife and mother died in 1888 and our sub- 
ject has since made his home with his son-in-law, 
Samuel Evans, who has the care of the old home- 
stead. Thomas, the eldest of the family, died when 
two and a-half years old; John left home when a 
young man and has never been heard from since; 
and Katie, formerly the wife of Samuel Evans, is 
also deceased. Mr. Moore is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church and in politics casts his vote for the 
Prohibition party. 



I®). ...^»4.... _@J 

i t i i l l i l l I I I A«8»«S»«j«»S« «?*«?««?« »$»«{*«{*•}» 




5^, HARLES AUGUST HERB, one of the val- 
iant veterans of the late war, is a prosper- 
ous merchant of Alton. He was born Sep- 
tember 21, 1846, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is 
a son of Jacob Herb, who was also born in that 
province, at Loffenau, the date being March 15, 
1822. He in turn was a son of George Frederick 
Herb. 

Jacob Herb was a cooper by trade and came 
to the United States in 1854, locating at St. Johns- 
ville, N. Y., where he continued to reside until his 
removal to Alton in 185G. He engaged in the 
mercantile business in Fosterburgh, this county, 
in 1859, when he sold out and removed to Bunker 
Hill, 111. Leaving there in 1870 he removed to 
Mattoon, and from there to Alton, which is still 
his home. Ileisa member of the Lutheran Church, 
and in politics is a Republican. For his wife he 
married Miss Theodora Fredericka Seger, a native 
of the same province as himself. Her <leath oc- 
curred Octol)er 14,1852. They had four children: 
Frederick, who died in .lune, 1863, at Vicksburg, 
having been a drummer of Company E, Seven- 
teenth Missouri Infantry; Charles, the next in 
order of birth; William G., who died in 1876, and 



410 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Mary Kredei'icka, now tlic widow of Frederick 
Ki'iiiard. 

The early life of C. A. lleili was .spent with his 
parents, and he ac(iuired a jfood education in his 
niotlier t(ni<^ue. He also attended the couiujon 
sciiools in New York foi- a time, and after he came 
to llhnuis was a student in Kosterburgh and also 
in a private school in Alton. He enlisted at the 
Arsenal at St. Louis in November, 1861, and was 
mustered into Company E, Fifth Missouri Infan- 
try, the State Reserve Corps. He served in this 
rejfiment until it was mustered out, in Auj^ust, 
18G2, his service being mostly in guard duty and 
in liuilding forts along the Iron Mountain Hail- 
road. His next enlistment was in October, 186.'{, 
as a member of Company V, First Missouri Infan- 
try, and with them he was stationed altogether in 
Missouri. He [)articipated in a number of short 
fights and skirmishes, and afterward re-enlisted 
for three years in the cavalrj' service September 
11, 18()4. He was assigned to Comiiany A, Four- 
teenth Cavalry of Missouri, and as soon as the 
regiment was organized they started after I'rice 
and were on this ride for forty days, having sev- 
eral engagements. Next they were under Pleas- 
anlon in (jen. John McNeal's llrigade. After 
their return they were given a thirty days' fur- 
lough, after which tliev were kept almost con- 
stantly on the move after guerrillas and bush- 
whackers. On the 1st of ,hine, \SC>i>, Ihey were 
ordered across the plains to look after the Indians 
and for a lime were stationed at Ft. Winneeup. 
In the fall they were ordered to Wichita, where 
they were stationed for some time and eflfected 
a treaty with the Indians. There were about 
twenty-live tribes, and while there he met Kit 
Carson and quile a nuiiilier of noted Indians. 
The regiment next moved to Ft. Leavenworth, 
where they were inustered out November 17, 1805, 
and on arriving in .St. Louis were tendered a re- 
ception. Though arduous, .Mr. Herb enjoyed his 
western service. 

After his return from the army Mr. Herb re- 
mained at home during the winter, and in the 
spring came to AlUin and thence went to St. Louis. 
In 1867 he went to I Junker Hill, where his father was 
in business, and remained there until 1872, clerk- 



ing in a store awhile. April 23, ISG'J, he was ap- 
pointed Deputy Sheriff under .S. H. Wilcox, and 
in November, 1870, was elected Coroner. In 1871 
he was elected Township Collector for liunker Hill 
Township. At Alton, in 1872, he went into busi- 
ness with George Linsey. In February, 1871, he 
sold out and opened a general store in Alloii, 
which he still continues, having built u|) a proliUi- 
ble trade. He owns a farm in Wood River Town- 
ships, which he rents, and also leal estate in the 
city. 

In 1876 Mr. Herb was made ,\s^islaiil Super- 
visor under the township organization. The next 
j'ear he was re-elected, and again in 187«. F'or 
two years he was Chairman of the Finance Com- 
mittee and (lid much to restore the credit of the 
county. In 1878 he was elected Alderman, U> 
which position he was re-elected in 1880 and 1882. 
The following year he was chosen !Mayor, serving 
as such for two j'ears, and in 1887, without oppo- 
sition, was elected Alderman, and again in A|)ril, 
1890. In 1889 he was appointed Internal Reve- 
nue Ganger, which position he resigned. In 1885 
he was appointed School Director, serving in that 
capacity until 1888. 

At Hunker Hill. 111., .Mr. Herb married, Febru- 
ary 15, 1870, Miss Lailiara, daughter of Frederick 
and Lizetla Die, natives of IJavaria, and by lliis 
unic»n were born the following children: Louise 
L., iMiiina II., Charles F., Mamie K., llattie, Kdison 
Garfield, and Harrison HIaine. The mother is a 
member of the Lutheran Church. 

In the politics of the eit}- Mr. Herb has always 
been known as a Republican of no unccrtian kind, 
and has been very inlluential in the affairs of his 
part}'. He has been a delegate to the various 
county, district and slate con vcnlioiis. He is a 
member of the Masonic order, having parsed 
through the Ulue Lodge, Royal Arch and Knight 
Templar degrees; is Past High Priest of l\\v iliap- 
ter, and Past Commander of the commander^'. He 
also is a Knighl of Pythias and belongs to Lodge 
No. 237, A. (). r. W., being one of the chart<;r 
membois, and was the lirst Master Workman. He 
was a member of the military coni|iany of Alton, 
the Alton Guards, under Capt. II. ISrugermaii, and 
was First Orderly-.Sergeaiit, and later promoted to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



411 



be First Lieutennnt. This organization was kept 
u|) about four 3'ears and then disbandeil. They 
were regarded as the best company and took tlic 
first premium at Jerseyville and at the Macoupin 
County Fair at Carlinvilln, and for drill at the 
State Fair at Springlield were rewarded the first 
premium. Mr. Herb is one of the chartei' members 
of Alton Post No. 411, G. A. R. He was Com- 
mander for three terms, but declined re-election. 
For several years he was Chairman of the Re|)ub- 
lican Committee and is one of the potent factors 
in the Republican parly of Madison County. 



^>~^¥r<m^- 



^ lelLBUR M. WARNOCK is a leading attor- 
\/\l/l ^^y ^^ Edwardsville. There is probalily 
^^^ no profession that exerts a greater influ- 
ence on both the pul)lic and private life of individ- 
uals than the legal profession. As one of its mem- 
bers and also on account of his strong personalit}', 
our subject is recognized as one of the inominent 
citizens of this community. He is now engaged 
in business as a member of the firm of Travous & 
Warnock, and is Master in Chancery of the Cir- 
cuit Cinirt of Madison County. 

Mr. Warnock was born in Columlna, 111., A|iril 
23, 1862, and is a son of La I"'ayette and Lucinda 
(Moore) Warnock. His father was born in Van- 
dalia. 111., March 14, 1821, and the mother is a 
native of Waterloo, III., born March 12, 1826. The 
paternal grandfather. Judge John Warnock, was 
born and reared in Charleston, S. C.,and was a son 
of Joseiih Warnock, who served under General 
Marion in the Revolutionary AVar. The Judge 
studied law under Governor Bennett, of .South 
Carolina, through whose influence he was appointed 
Territorial Judge for the Southein District of Illi- 
nois, being the first incumbent of that office. He 
continued in that capacity until Illinois was ad- 
mitted to the Union, in 1818, and was Postmaster 
of Vandalia when thatcity was the capital. About 
1828 he removed to St. Clair County, where he 
purchased land, but after a short time he bought 



a farm between Columbia and Waterloo, where he 
made his home for some years. .Subscciuently he 
removed to Texas. His death occurred in Deucm- 
ber of 1858. He was twice married, and by his 
first union had ten children, eight of whom grew 
to mature years. 

The father of our subject was educated in Mc- 
Kendrce College, Lebanon, III. For a time he re- 
sided in Jamestown, Wis., where he engaged in 
general merchandising, and also served as Post- 
master for two years. From there he moved to 
Waterloo, 111., where he conducted a mercantile 
business for six years. In 185-1 he removed to 
Columbia, 111., where he was similarly occupied for 
two years. Afterward he operated the Columbia 
Star Mills until 1867, when he sold to Henry Iluch. 
Since that time he has devoted his time to the su- 
pervision of ills real estate interests. He owns 
about five hundred acres of laud, besides a resi- 
dence and thirteen lots in Brighton, 111., and his 
eonifortable home in Columbia. In politics he is 
a Democrat. 

In the parental family there were eight children, 
namely: James W., now a resident of Columbia; 
William II., who resides in Butler, Mo.; Emma A., 
wife of Dr. M. (t. Nixon, of Columbia; Samuel F., 
who is living in Butler, Mo.; Wilbur M., of this 
.sketch; Nellie M., wife of Z. J. AViUiams, of Butler, 
Mo.; Minnie M. and Lucy J., both of Columbia. 
In his early years our subject attended the district 
schools, and afterward the high school of Colum- 
bia. In 1878 he entered the academy of Butler, 
Mo., wheK! he pursued his studies until the si)ring 
of 1880, after which he returned home. Shortly 
afterward he came to Edwardsville and entered 
the ollice of Judge Burroughs, with whom he took 
u[) the study of law, continuing with him until 

1881. He then entered the Union Law College of 
Chicago, from which he was graduated in June, 

1882. He formed a partnership with Judge Bur- 
roughs, but as he had not yet reached his majority 
his name was not incorporated into the firm style 

I until the following year. This partnership was 
! continued until February, 1881), when the Judge 
was elected to the Circuit Bench. 

Mr. Warnock then practiced alone until July 1, 
\ 188'J, when he formed a partnership with I\. P. 



tl 



rouruvn am> r.iocK.vriiu.M. kkiokd. 



Owen, wliii-li i-oiititiiU(l uiilil IMM. lU' \v:iji llii'U 
asraiii Hlom- until llio 1st »>f Aiij,'iist. 18'.M. wlu-n ho 
entoioil into tlio lui'sout i-ol!Uioii!>lii|> willi C\ 
N. Travvius. Thoy now rank anion'; tho U'suiinij 
law liiins i>f Matli»(>ii <.\>unt_v, antl rtvoivo a lilicral 
sliaiv of Iho lUiMii- |>atii>iiaj;o. In lt<^<i• Mr. Wai- 
niH'k was apptMnted Master in C'lianivrv. lli" takos 
i|nito an aolivo intiTost in |Hilitii's, anil supports 
the principles of the PenuK-ratie jwrty. Soeially, 
he is a Mason ami has attaiuei) the ii»nk of Knijiht 
Templar, :uul alsi> lH-loni;s to the (.)(M FelU>ws' anil 
Kuii;ht.s of l\lhi!»s fraternities, anil to the Tren- 
liunil SiK-iety. lie is abrijiht lawyer, qniek to note 
the favorable point* on his side of the ease, and 
Vhe salient pointsin an opiHjnent's ars;nn»enl. He 
is a siihhI adviH-ate. a |>leas5»nl and effect ivo speaker 
and IS smvessful in his pr-netii-o. In manner he is 
i;enial and oihmi hearted, and is popular at the lUir 
and with the (HHiple. 



<3C - H -*»-<-*'l " i "H ' l-> jg|4-4"f-l "8-4"H"M-M- » 



■ifHSM-: IIUIMAS l.OWKY was horn near 
Shawneetown, i>n thei^hio Hiver, DeeeniU'r 
6, l!Si(), and is a hisihly ivspeeted farmer of 
New l)ou>;las Township, his home l>eing on 
sei'tiou SI. llis father, William .laekson L.i>wrv, 
was a native of Tennessee, lH>rn near (.'rabUrchaiH.1, 
April 2»;, I81t*. llis father, TlH>nias l.owry, was of 
Irish descent. t.>ur suhjivl's mother w;is Ssirah, 
dauiihter i>f .lesse and KlizaU-th IMkinton. She 
«v;is iKun March t>, 181S, in Tennessee, in which 
slate she was married St-plemlK-r U'. 1837. 

S«.ivin after his marriage William .Lacksini started 
with his wife to Illinois, and in this state they con- 
tinued ti> make their lK>me until I'alled fr«.Mn this 
life. The fathenliedin 18G(,>, and his wife in 1884. 
Their tirst sottleuienl was near Shawneeti>wn, whore 
Ihey lived for alKUit ten ycai-s. Thence they came 
to Madison t'ounty and passed the ivuiainder of 
their lives near .Mhainbra. To this pioiuvr ix'uple 
weiv lH>rn eleven children, i>f whom six survive, 
Jcsso Thouiiis, Naucy, .lauies M., William C, Rob- 
ert 1.. and KeU"i.va J., the twi> latter iK-iiii; twins. 



li 



Naiu'N is the wife of Henry .M. I'leice, of .Mhain- 
bra; .lames M. lives with his Imithei-s. .lesse and 
Koliert; William V. reside.-" northwest of .Mhainbra; 
Ki'IhmI I., is a teacher in I'pper Alton, and Ke- 
liecca .1. is the wife of .lohii I.. Keaves, a merchant 
of New l)i>u>;las. 

The Ih'St eight years of the life of i>iir subjecl 
were spent in Shawneetown, his schooling Iteing 
that of the old sul»criptiou scIuhiIs. The schiK>l- 
house was built of logs in a primitive fashiim, the 
seats being made i>f rough slal>s. One iif his teach- 
eis was a Mr. Manners, now an alti>rney in Fjisl St. 
l.iiuis. One day a black snake was disi.i.>vei-ed in a 
chink near the eaves by an uivhin; he gave the 
alarm, and the building was soon cleared, while 
the teacher killed the intruder. t>li ver .lones, an- 
i>ther teacher of that day, has since liceii I'rcsidenl 
of McKendire College. After his father's removal 
to this county. Mr. l.owry attended the schools 
near Alhanibra. llis father was aliiHwt enliiely 
self-taught, but was a practical man and wrote an 
excellent hand, llis daily journal during the 
Mexican War, in which he participated for a jioriod 
of fourteen months, is highly prized by the familv. 

At the age of twenty .lesse Thi>inas l.owry 
started out for hiinseif, working on a farm. Ijiter 
he sivui-ed a jK^silion in a store as a clerk, wi>rking 
in Alhambra. Js'ew DougUas and also in Tayli>r- 
ville. 111. In 187il he U'gan farming, and in 1880, 
with his brother Koliert, puix-hased one hundred 
and sixty .hcivs of land, one hundred and forty 
acres in New l")ougl;is Town>liip and twenty acres 
of timlKM' land in t)live Ti>wnship. They have 
since conducted farming i>|K>rations in |>;irtnersliip. 

t)n NovemlK'r l!, 1881, ,1. T. married S;irah K., 
daughter i>f William and KlizaU'th ^Whiteside) 
Willess, natives of C>liio and Illinois resiKK-tively. 
William Willess, the father of the fi>rnier, was a na- 
tive of New York City, wheiv his father was a cloth- 
ing inerchatit. llis wife w.hs a Miss Ifckrnes. Mrs. 
Lowry was lH>rn Septeml>er i2, 18Jt>, near New 
Dougl.HS, where at that time her |»!>nMits resided. 
.She is a meml>er of the Methodist (.'liui\>li St>uth, 
of New IVuiglas. In j>v>titii-s Mr. l.owry isa Dcrn- 
«.K'rat and is a meinln'r iif the Himrd of Si'Iuk>1 
Trustees. 

l{ol>ert 1.. I.i'wry, wlu> is engaged in business 




IIKXRV C. I'RIEST. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



415 



with his brother, was born March 10, 1855, in Al- 
hainbra, and at the age of twenty he entered the 
Baily Business College, at Quincy, where he con- 
tinued for a yeai, finishing the course. Following 
this lie taught school for a year north of AUiam- 
bra, and in the fall of 1877 entered the State Normal 
School at Normal, 111., remaining in that institu- 
tion for seven terms. In the meantime he taught 
one winter in the Fisgah school, between Alhambra 
and New Douglas, and after completing his time 
at the Normal he was regularly' eng.aged to teach 
this school. Later he was emploj'ed in Alhambra, 
for two years at New Douglas and the three fol- 
lowing years at Saline. The next three years 
he taught at Troy, thence went to Upper Alton, 
where he is at present. One peculiar feature of 
Mr. Lowr\''s life is that every winter since his 
sl.xth year he has spent the time either as pupil or 
teacher in the school room. His record in the 
profession is an honorable one and there are none 
in the county held in higher esteem. In politics 
he has been a life-long Democrat. He is a mem- 
ber of Keenkutter Camp No. 1004, M. W. A., at Up- 
per" Alton. 

On March 18, 1883, Mr. Lowry was married to 
Miss Caroline Good, who was born April 28, 1858. 
Her parents, Thomas and Caroline (Dugger) Good, 
were natives of this county, as is also Mrs. Lowry. 
To this young couple have been born four chil- 
dren, Sarah Edith, Thomas Grover, Nancy Ade- 
line and Robert L., Jr. The parents are members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



^ 






M 



\1I ^, ENRY CALVIN PRIEST, who comes of 
Y sturdy New England stock, is numbered 
among the enterprising and successful bus- 
iness men of Alton and enjoys the distinc- 
tion of being the leading lumber dealer of this 
city. His father, Josiah Willard Priest, was a na- 
17 



tivc of Massachusetts, born in the same town as 
was our subject, and there he passed his entire life. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Sweet- 
zer, was born in the Old Ba3' State and was the 
daughter of Nathan Sweetzer. The paternal graud- 
iatlier of our subject bore the Christian name of 
Wesson. J. W. Priest was by trade a clothier, but 
gave his attention largely to farming. He was a 
Democrat in politics. In religion he was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife 
was a Congregationalist. 

Henry C. Priest is one of seven children, the 
others being Josiah R., Nathan E., Willard E., 
Placentia E., William A. and one child that died 
in infanc}'. Placentia E. married Ira Crawford, 
now deceased. The bo3'hoodof Henry Priest was 
passed on his father's farm until he reached man's 
estate, when, in 1850, he left home, going to Hart- 
ford, Conn., where he resided for two years. From 
that point became to the west, locating first in Jer- 
sey Count}-, III., where he taught school for one 
winter. 

It was in 1854 that our subject came to this city, 
which has since been his place of residence. Soon 
after his arrival here he went into the lumber bus- 
iness, and has continued along this line up to the 
present time. Entering into partnership with 
Henry C. Sweetzer, they continued in business to- 
gether until July, 1885, when the partnership was 
dissolved, Mr. Priest purchasing the entire inter- 
est. All kinds of building material and a com- 
plete line of lumber are kept in stock. He is also 
interested largely in land, owning a number of 
farms in Illinois and Missouri. He procures lum- 
ber from many different states, including Wiscon- 
sin and Michigan and some of the southern states. 

In St. Louis, February 21, 1884, occurred the 
marri.age of our subject and Lucia E. Brown, an 
accomplished and well educated lady, and a daugh- 
ter of Elisha Brown. With the M.asonic order Mr. 
Priest holds membership, belonging to Piasa Lodge 
No. 27, and to Chapter No. 7, R. A. M. In poli- 
tics he votes with the Republican part}'. By his 
individual exertions and strict adherence to cor- 
rect business principles he has acquired his fortune. 
Physically he is a well built and well i)roportioned 
inftn, and by his quiet dignity commands the respect 



416 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of all with whom he comes in contact He is 

kind hearted and benevolent, ijiving liberally to 
worthy- charities. 



^>-^-<^^-*- 



^OIIN H. FERGUSON, :i proniinonl and roi,- 
resentalivc farmer of this count}, is at pres- 
^^ ent living on section 11, Godfrey- Tow n- 
(^^/ ship, where he has a good tract of land. 
He is a native of New Hampshire, having been 
Iwrn in Grafton County, April 7, 1821. His par- 
ents wore Alexander and Kliza (Moore) Fergu- 
son, and his grand |)arents on his father's side were 
Alex.inder and Agnes (Ilalhrick) Ferguson. 

The graudfatiior of our subject was horn in 
Glasgow, Scotland. He was the owner of large 
factories for the manufacture of silks in Pais- 
ley, and was wealthy. He reared a family of 
three children: James, who on coming to the 
I'niled States located in Caledonia, Vt., where lie 
died at tlio advanced age of one hundred and 
one years; Alexander, our subject's father, the 
next in order of birth; and Margaret, the wife of 
John Gillcieason. Mrs. Agnes Ferguson crossed 
the Atlantic with her little family when Alexan- 
der, Jr., was a lad of six years. The latter was 
educated in the schools of the Green Mountain 
Stale, and when starting out in life for himself 
removed to New Hampshiie, where he jnirchased 
and operated a farm in (Jral'lon County. 

.Mrs. liliza Ferguson was the daughter of Moses 
Moore, an old Kevolutii)nary soldier who fought 
under Ethan Allen. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion and lived to be ninety-six yeare of age. The 
father of our suljjecl always f^>llowed agricultural 
piu'suits and lived and died on tlie properly on 
which he lirst located. His family included the 
following children: Alexander, Moses, JIargarel, 
Esllier, Kudiiey, Orrin, .lolin H., (ieorgc and Fred- 
erick. All are deceased with the exception of 
Orrin and our subject. The parents were members 
in good standing of the Congregational Church, 
although the father w:is reared in the Scotch Pres- 
byterian faith. In politics he was a AVhig. 

The subject of this sketch w:is only six years of 
age at the lime of his father's death, after which 



be made his home with bis sister, Mrs. R. M. Nel- 
son, and remained with her until attaining his 
fourteenth year. For a time he drove a stage from 
Ch;irlest<iii to Perkinsville, in the suutheru part of 
his native state, a distance of twenty-eight miles. 
When attaining his sixteenth year our subject, 
in company with his brother Orrin, puri-hased a 
peddling outlit and a stock of dry good and jew- 
elry, which they offered for sale on the route from 
the Granite Slate to Illinois. They were forty-two 
da3's in reaching this county and were estab- 
lished for a time in Godfrey Township, where 
their brother Alexander was living. Our subject 
then began rendering hud in Allon.in which bus- 
iness he was engaged at that place until 1841, 

j when he went to St. Louis and was en)i)b)yed for 

I a time delivering milk. Shortly afterward, how- 
ever, he engaged .as second clerk on a steaniltoat 
plying the Illinois, with a promise of becoming 

! first clerk wiiliin a year. 

Mr. Ferguson relurned to his native sUite and 
wcntt4) work pulling slumps with a machine of his 
own invention, lie then purchased one hundred 
and sixty-live :icres'()f land, together with sawmill 
property'. He lilted his mill out with a full line 

' of the latest improved machinery- and was engaged 
in its operation for about one year, during which 
time he made considerable money. He is a shrewd 
business man, (juiek to see the advantage to be 
gained in a sale, and :iltliougli stricll}' honest and 
u[)riglit in all his Uansactions, has made large 
sums of money l>y his foresight. 

When disposing of his farm, Mr. Ferguson went 
to HosloH, and after two years in the employ of 
the street railway company' attended an old inva- 
lid uncle for a short lime. Then returning to his 
native county, he again purchased land, wliicii he 
improved and liien sold, together wilii his i)er- 
sonal elTecls, for *2,1()(). In 1851 lie came again to 
this coiinly and liecame the proprietor of a farm 
on Scarett's Prairie, in Godfrey Township, on 
which he is residing at the present time. This in- 
cludes ninety acres, and besides this tract Mr. Fer- 
guson owns forl3' acres a little to the east of this 
place. 

Our suliject was inairied in 18 I'J, ti^i Miss Har- 
riett U. Goodell.a luilive of Walerford, Vt., and to 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



417 



lliein were boin six children, Ida A., Abbie I., 
Rodney M., Fronanda E., Eva M. and llallie M. 
The wife and ni<jther died in Januaiy, 1875, 
and Mr. Feit^uson was hitor married to INIrs. Ellen 
Brown, the daughter of Mr. AVhitligar. Tliis union 
resulted in the birth of a son and daughter, Clar- 
ence Hubbard and Etta Leone. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ferguson are members in good stan(Jing of the 
Mctliodist Episcoi)al Ciiurch. In p<jlities the for- 
mer is independent, and socially belongs to Green- 
wood Lodge No. 121, I. O. O. F., at North Alton, 
of which he is a charter member. 



i'TlANK S. DRDA is one of the successful 
^ farmers of New Douglas Township and re- 
sides on section 32, where he owns forty 
acres of valuable land. In addition to cultivating 
this property, he also opeiates one hundred and 
sixty acres belonging to his fatiier. Though one 
of the youngest farmers of the neighborhood, few 
surpass him in keen discrimination, sound judg- 
ment and force of character. 

A native of Madison Count)-, the suljjcct of this 
sketch was born near Edwardsvillc May 7, 1860. 
lie is a member of a family long identified with 
tlie history of Lohcmia. His fattier, Frank, was 
))orn in Ihescovilz .January 28, 18.38, and in 1852 
came to America in coni[>any with his motlier, the 
fatliei-, Albert, having died in 1810. vVniving in 
the United States, he |)roceeded westwaid to Illi- 
nois and here met Mits Mary Schiber, whom he 
married .lanuary 17, 185',). .She was, like himself, 
a native of liohemia, having been born theie Au- 
gust 15, 1840. From that countr)' she accom- 
panied her i)arents to America in 181'J and settled 
with them in Illinois. 

Of a family of ten children, Frank S. Drda is 
the eldest. His childhood days were passed on the 
home farm near Edwardsvillc, and his education 
was gained in the Ilolim school west of that place. 
Until altaining his majority he remaine<l beneath 
the parental roof, gaining a thorough practical 



knowledge of agriculture. Arriving at man's es- 
tate, he chose for his life occupation the calling of 
a farmer, and this vocation he has since followed 
continuously, with the exception of a short time 
spent in the employ of the W.abash Railway Com- 
pany. After his marriage in the spring of 1885 he 
abandoned railroading and has given his atten- 
tion exclusively to farming sin<;e that time. 

March y, 1885, Mr. Drda w.as united in marriage 
with Miss Mary, daughter of Anton and INIargaret 
(Zavorak) Triska, natives of P.ohemia. Mrs. Drda 
was born in the village of Meckov September 22, 
1866, .and was the youngest of seven children 
born to her parents. In M.ay, 18G'J,she came with 
the family to America, and coming direct to Madi- 
son County, 111., settled on a farm in Edwardsville 
Township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Drda have been 
born three children, .Joseph T., .John C. and 
Mary M. 

After his marriage Mr. Drda settled upon a 
farm in New Douglas Township, where he has 
since devoted his attention to the raising of grain 
and stock. His sterling (jualities have given him 
prominence, and his influence is strong in his 
cominuuity. Since attaining his majority he luas 
su|i|iorted the |irinci|)les of the Democratic party, 
aiul while in |)olitics he is decided in his likes 
and dislikes, he is willing to give others the priv- 
ilege he claims for himself — that of a frank expres- 
sion of opinion with a reason for the same. In 
the spring of 1891 he was elected School Director 
of his district and has since olliciated in this ca- 
pacity. He and his wife are Catholics in their re- 
ligious lielief and worship with the church at New 
Douglas. They are well known throughout the 
ccimmiinity and number a host of sincere friends 
in their circle of acquaintances. 



♦^^s 



^yr^EORGE REINIIART. Agricultural pur- 
suits have always claimed the entire atten- 
tion and efforts of Mr. Reiiihart,and in this 
work he has been successful. His home, a cozy 
and comfortable abode, is iileasaiitly situated in 
Alhambra Tovvnshi[), surrounded by all the acces- 



IIS 



l\)KTKAIT AM. UltMUJAI'IIUAI. Ki:("l)KI). 



M>i'it\s of ;i iiuxlol o.sl.'Uo. 'I'lio oijjhtv ;ii'li\s (.-oiu- 
|>ri>ilii; llu- farm linvo Ih'oii dividi'd liv j;»h>iI fi'iiros 
intii lioMs (if I'oiivoiiionl s'lr.v for llio raisiiii; of 
m'aiu or tin- i>astuiii<:^> of slook, ami ilii- plaoo is sus 
iioat ius any in llio to\Mi>lii|<. 

In R'\(lon, (uM'inanv. tin- sniijoi-t of tliis skotcli 
was l>oi'i» .lannarv S, I82S, lo Mallliias luul Frod- 
n irka ^MalliM'^ K'ciiiliart. Tho iialoriial ^ranilfa- 
tluT. Ilonrv lu'inliarl, \>as l>orn in Hadcn ami fol- 
lowed tlio liade of a bakor. |iassin<i I'is I'lilire 
lifo ill till" lami of his l>iilli, wlioio lio was a man 
of inodiTati> moans. Ilo iliod at tlio ajjo of sov- 
fiily voars, liis wifo |>assini; away wlu>n oiglity- 
tliroi'. 'I'lu'ir only I'liild was Mattliias. who loainoil 
till' hakor's trailo from his fathor ami spoiil his 
early yoars iiiuui a faiiii. In rolisiious iK'liof ho 
was a l'rotost;uit. as was also his wife. Tlioy had 
three ehildren. tieorjje. Henry and Dorothy. 
Henry, who was a soldier in the (Jerman army, 
died at the age of twenty-nine yeai-s. Dorothy, 
who married Charles \"allet, eniijjrated to the 
I'liiled Stales and settled in Millvillo, N. J., but 
h.-is not been heard from for many yeai-s. 

.Vlthe as;e of fourteen our subjeet's .sehool days 
endeij and praetieal life bepin. For four yeai-s; 
\>rior to his emisjration he was an employe of a 
sjrist mill in tiennany. At the ai;e of twenty- 
seven ho erossed the Atlantie and after a voyajje 
of four weeks landed in New York, two weeks 
later arrivinij in Hii;liland. 1'|h>ii reaching this 
plaiv he had but ^"Jo in his possession; however, 
he had an abundanee of pliiek and enersry, and it 
was not long befoiv he W!vs on a -soliil linaneial 
footing. For one year he was employed in ast<.>re 
at Highland, after wliieli he went to Marine and 
stvuivd a iH»ition :u< a farm laborer, remaining 
thus eng!\ged for ten years. 

Ill l.stiO Mr. Keinharl was united in marriage 
with Miss l.ouis!! Klep>er, a native of Wurtemheig, 
(Jermany. and daughter of William and Sabina 
Klep.<er. .\fler the death of her mother she ac- 
i'oin|»!inied an unele to .\meriea. being then abiuit 
Iwenty-thivo yeai-s of age. .She lisis four ehildivn. 
the two sons. William and .liilius, being i-ejirc- 
sented on another page of this volume. 'I'he two 
daughtei-s, Hannah and l.otlie, aiv relined and ao- 
coinplishvd young ladies, of whom their {uirents 



may well be proud. Mi» llaniiiih \\a> edmated 
in Kmpoii;), U:iii.. and taught one term in that 
state, and four in liliuoi>; Miss Lottie has been 
similarly employed in Madison County for three 
yeai-s. 

.\fter his mairiage Mr. Keinhart bought the 
farm where he now live,> ;iiid to the eultivalion of 
whieh he devoles his attention. He is a man of 
strong mental ivilibre, who has always iimmI his iii- 
lluenee in tlie right direetion to promote the wel- 




. ^ S^®l-^-«^SS#^S- 



\l'AJnvS W. F.AKI.Y. Among the prominent 
fanners of New Douglas 'I'ownship, we 
make mention of .lames W. F.arly. who owns 
two hundred and thirty-one broad and well 
enltivaled aeres on seetion ;50. He devotes his 
entire time and attention to the earrying on of his 
farm, and has made of it one i>f the line.-t in the 
itninty. 

The original of this sketeh w;u> born .\pril .">, 
18.'i8. ill this township, and is the son of Mather 
1\. Karly. wli<?se birth iRVurred in Washington 
County. Ind., April 2(i, l.'^IS. His wife, prior to 
her marriage Kli/.abeth Searles, was a native of 
Clay County, this state, and was born .luno 3, 
ISi?2. !>lie died .lune 8, 187(!, in New Douglas 
'rowiiship. 

•lames W., of this sketeh, was given a good edn- 
eatioii. attending the sehiHils in the nelghboihot>d 
of his homo until roaehiiig his twentieth year. He 
remained under the paix'iit.il roi>f until four years 
after attaining his majority , when he st.'Uted out 
for himself, his first wi>rk being on a traet of 
rented land, wliieh he cultivated with fair suewss. 
Five years later he purchased a seventy live acre 
tract, which is now included in his pivsent estate, 



PORTRAIT AND BlfXlRAF'IIICAL RECORD. 



419 



and managed it in aach an admirahU; manner that 
he was soon enabled U) add to it, until his farm 
now ranks among the largest and mfr^.t. prodiiclivf- 
in this section. ' 

April 3, 1800, Mr. Karly was unit*'] \u marriage 
with 3Iis9 iJelle. daughter of Wallace and Kliza 
(Clarke) Bruce. The lady wa.s f>om in Macoupin ' 
County-, this state, OctoVjer 9, 1862, and by her [ 
union with our subject has h»e<y>me the mother of 
two children, Rfrxcfye and Charlie. 

In p<^jlitics Mr. Early never fails to f;a.-t a vote 
for liepubliean candidates. He is in no sen.se of 
the word an office seeker, and although often called 
upon to hold public positions, alwaj-g refuses to 
do so. 



-O^: 



)#G^ 




!>HOMA.S W. ISAACS. Thi.s gentleman has 
an estate which includes five hundred and 
fortj'-four broad and well cnltivatefl acres, 
admirably located on section 3. Mr. Isaacs was 
bom in Macoupin County, thLs .state, Oc-tober 25, 
184.5. and is the son of Abraham and Marj' (Eaf)n) 
Isaacs, the former a native of North Carolina, and 
the latter bom in Miasissippi. Grandfather Rich- 
ard Isaacs, it is presumed, was bom in North Caro- 
lina, whence he moved to the Blue Grass State, 
when Abraham was a small boy, and located in 
Oldham County, near Louisville. 

The maternal grandfather of our subject, Thomas 
Eaton, was bom in Ireland, and on emigrating to 
this country located in Mississippi, not far from 
Natchez. From that state he later removed to 
Kentnck}', where bLs daughter met and was mar- 
ried to Abraham Isaacs, in 1836. The year follow- 
ing their marriage the couple came to Illinois, re- 
siding for a time in Edwardsville. They then lo- 
cated upon a farm in Fosterburgh Township, and 
after one year moved to Macoupin Countj", where 
our subject was liom, 

The original of this sketch, like other farmer 
boys, attended the district school, and when reac^l- 
ing his majority became a partner of his father in 
conduc-ting the farm work- This relation c-ontin- 
ued for a year and a-half after his nuirriage, wbic-b 



event was c<;lel/rated Deceml>er 6, 1871. Tlie 
maiden name of his wife was H.ittie A. .Sne<l- 
ker, the daughtf;r of .law^b and Ellen (.lay) Sne^l- 
ker, residents of Macoupin County. Mrs. Isatux 
departed this life Decernljcr -31, 1881, leaving a 
family of four children, of whom only one, Ge/^rge 
A., survives. 

Tlie second nn'um of our subject occurred .Ian- 
nary 17, 188.3, at which time Miss EIrnira, daugh- 
ter of Milton and Folly (tivans) Rohb, became his 
wife. Mrs. Is-iacs was l)om August 11, 18.53, in 
.Montgomery County, whither her parents came 
from Indiana, where the father was bom. Mrs. 
Robb was a native of Virginia, whence her par- 
ents removed U> the IlfXMier .State in 1816. Of 
this second marriage our subject has become the 
father of three children, of whom Tlioma», Ralph 
and Robb are living. 

In 1873 the original of this sketch renterl a farm 
near his father, which he conducted for five years, 
and then purchased his present p\sux. With his 
wife he is a member of the Jlethorlist Episcr^pal 
Church at New Douglas, in which he has been 
.Steward, Trnstee and Class-learler. In pc^itics be 
is an enthusiastic Prohibitir/nLst, and has done 
what he could toward advancing the cause of tem- 
perance in his communiti'. 




..ji&'3K£''3iC'3ic'^Bw "j-^KJ Tjp 'i*g>5^B&'^C^ .»s£-'T^g'^& 



^ILLIAM L. HARRIS is one of the promi- 
nent agricnUnrists of Foeterborgh Town- 

y 5 ship, and deserves mention for tbe yal- 
iant service which he rendered bis eoantr>' dur- 
ing the late war. He is still living in the p\ea»- 
ant dwelling whic^l was erected by bis father many 
years ago, and on the place Ls to he found a valua- 
ble grove of walnnt treea, 

3Ir. Harris was bom in Champaign County. Ohio. 
November 26, 1 832, and is tlic son of Tliomas and 
Rebecca (Little) Harris, the tormer of whom was 
the sr/n of William Harris. The latter was a team- 
.ster in the Alleghany Mountains in Pennsylvania 
and also farmerl there on a .small scale. He later 
went to Ciiampaign Coantj. Ohio, and at the time 



420 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



of his (locoasc left an estate comprising six luindred 
acres. Tlie grandparenUs learcd liic followiiig- 
naiiu'd diildrcii: (Jcoige, Tliomas, Kiiianiiel, Sam- 
uel, Fannie and Klizabelh, all of whom are de- 
ceased. 

The father of our subject was liorn in Washing- 
ton County, Pa., in ISdH, an() there grew to man- 
hood on his [larents' farm and I'eceived a limited 
education. He was niairicd when attaining mature 
years to Mis^ Little, the daughter of William and 
Klizal)eth (Wade) Little. I'riur to this event, 
however, Thomas Harris operatccl a distillery for 
his father, and when the latter made him a present 
of the |)lant he immediately sold it. as he did not 
like the business. 

The mother of our subject was reared to woman- 
hood and married in Littleton .Station, Va., which 
place had been named in honor of her father. 
After their union Mr. .and Mrs. Thomas Harris re- 
moved to Ohio and located upon land which the 
former had inherited from his father's estate. In 
1849 they took up the line of march again, this 
time locating in Putnam County, this state, where 
they made their home for two years and then came 
to their estate in Madison County. This included 
the quarter-section now owned and occiii)ied by our 
subject. Here Thomas Harris resided until his de- 
cease, October H, 1875. 

The parental family comprised four children, of 
whom one died in infancy. Eberilla is also de- 
ceased. Thom.as Katlian is living, making his 
h<nne in this township, and William L., of this 
sketch, was the eldest born. The mother departed 
this life April 11, 1877, firm in the faith of the 
P.aptist Church, to which denomination her hus- 
band belonged. 

William Harris was the recipient of a good com- 
mon-school education and remained with his par- 
ents until liis marriage in 18.51 with Miss Louisa 
Oroce, daughter of Thom.as and Nancy (Cunning- 
ham) Oroce. Their union li.as been blessed by the 
birth of nine childien: Nathan; Nancy .1., the wife 
of .Joseph Ciolike; Frank 15.; Rebecca, Mrs. Frank 
Wolf; Kbeiilla, at home; Isabella, deceased wife of 
l);nid (iolike, and three who <lied in infancy. 

I'or a time aft^-r his marriage our subject rented 
land in Wood River Township, but in 18.'»K he re- 



moved to what is now Worth County, Mo., where 
he piiichased one hundred acres and resided until 
the year 18(;;$. .Mr. Harris was idenlilied with 
the interests of the latter place until l.sTli, when 
he returned to Illinois and took care of his mother 
until her decease. He then received as his portion 
seventy acres of the old homestea<L where he still 
makes his home. 

Ill i)olitics Mr. Harris is a straightforward Repub- 
lican and has held the local ollices of Justice of the 
Peace, Road Commissioner, School Director and 
Assessor of his township. In 18G1, while residing 
in Missouri, he enlisted in the state militia and saw 
much active servici> during the entire period of 
the war. He was never wounded or taken pris- 
ioner. hut returned to his family unharmed, al- 
though he lia<l experienced all the privations and 
hardships of a soldier's life. 



¥ILLIAM MESSFRLY. This gentleman is 
identilied with the v.ast army of farmers 
who are doing so much to enhance the 
prosperity of the state of Illinois, and whose 
homes attest to their enjoyment of the material 
comforts afforded by modern civilization. His 
course as an agriculturist h.as been marked by in- 
tegrity and shrewdness in his dealings, l)y fore- 
thought and enterprise, and these traits have made 
him an invaluable aid in the upbuilding of his 
township. He is interested in promoting it* pros- 
I)erity and that of the county, of which he is one 
of the inlluential young farmers. 

Within a few rods of his present home the sub- 
ject of this sketch was born Feliruary 27, 18fil, 
being the son of Oottliel) Messcrly, whose .sketch 
appears on another page of this volume. To it 
the reader is referred for an account of the family 
history. William was educated in the common 
schools of Madi.son (\)unty, and his youthful 
years were pa.s.sed in the same manner as those of 
most farmer boys, alternating his attendance at 
school with labor at home. He earlv itained a 



PORTRAIT AND P.IOGEArillCAL RECORD. 



421 



practical knowletlge of agriculture, and wben pre- 
pared to start out for himself naturally chose farm- 
ing as his occupation. 

Establishing domestic ties in 1889, Mr. Messerlj' 
was then united in marriage with Miss Lena, 
daughter of William and Katie Brucli, and a na- 
tive of Madison County. One child has blessed 
the union, a son, Arnold. After his marriage our 
suliject rented one hundred and twent>- acres com- 
prising a portion of his father's estate, and this he 
has since operated with ttliciency and success. Of 
the raising of fine stock he makes a specialty, 
and in that department of agriculture has gained 
considerable prominence in this locality. 

Though one of the youngest members of his 
calling in his native township, Mr. Messerly is 
managing his affairs with a discretion, clearness 
of judgment .and foresight that would do credit 
to a far more experienced farmer, and that bid 
fair to place him one day among the leading agri- 
culturists of this locality. In national affairs he 
is a Democrat, but in local elections votes for the 
man best fitted for the office, irrespective of party 
ties. He is interested in educational affairs and 
has served as School Director. 



H****/^ 
=l****>? 






^|. BRAHAM HODGE is the son of an old 
Ws/Ui soldier, who served his country faithfully' 
11) and well during the late war; he is at 
present living in Fosterburgh Township, 
where he was born in 1860 He is the son of 
Alexander and Wealth}- (Thompson) Hodge, and 
the grandson of David and Elizabeth (Morris) 
Hodge. The grandfather was a native of Edin- 
burg, Scotland, where he was engaged in dealing 
in real estate, and was a man in moderate circum- 
stances. The grandparents reared a family of three 
sons and two daughters, of whom tlie father of 
our subject was the third eldest. His brothers and 
sisters were, Joseijh, James, Margaret and Isabelle. 
Alexander Hodge was the only member of his 
family to emigrate to the United States. He was 



educated for a minister in the Presbyterian Church 
in his native land, but was never ordained. His 
birth occurred February 7, 1822, and he was there- 
fore in ills twentj'-eighlh year when he came to 
America in 1850. He first located in Alton, this 
stale, and as he arrived here without means, he 
immediately went to work on the river as a boat 
hand. He was thus emplo.yed for a few years and 
then, having saved enough mone}- to enable him 
to purchase land, he came to Fosterburgh Town- 
ship and became the ()roprietor of forty acres of 
unimproved [troperty. This ho placed under good 
tillage, and after selling it he bought two hundred 
and forty acres in Jackson County, this state. 
Later he moved his family back to this township, 
where he purchased another seventj' acres, al- 
though he still retains his possessions in the above 
county. 

The parents of our subject were married in this 
township, the mother being the daughter of Moses 
and Sarah (Hunt) Thompson. She was born in 
Preble Count}', Ohio, whence her parents removed 
to Madison County when she was cpiite young. 
Abraham, of this sketch, was the eldest of the pa- 
rental family, the others being Elizabeth, the wife 
of Harry Clayton, and Egypt, at home. Previous 
to her union with Alexander Hodge, the mother 
of our subject had married Henry Werts, and by 
him became the mother of two sons, John and 
Moses. 

In social affairs the elder Mr. Hodge was a 
prominent Mason, holding membership with the 
lodge in Upper Alton. In politics he was a strong 
Republican and took great interest in the success 
of his party. His decease occurred in December, 
1868. 

The original of this sketch was educated in the 
common schools of his native county, and has con- 
tinued to make his home with his mother since his 
father's death. lie is conducting the home farm 
in a most profitable manner and ranks among the 
well-to-do agiiculturists of Fosterburgh Township. 

His father served during the late war as a mem- 
ber of Company K, Eightieth Illinois Infantry, 
holding the position of Captain. He fought 
valiantly in many severe engagements and was 
taken prisoner, being confined in Libby Prison for 



422 



r\)|{TlJ MT AND monRArTTir.M, RKCOUD. 



twenty-two luontlis; <liirin>; this lime lio oon- 
trtii'loii :i (lisoase wliirli ivsultoti in liis iIomIIi. IIo 
W!is an iuthionlial i-iti/.on, wiiU-ly and favorahly 
kiu>wn, ami l>v his st«rlin>r into<;rity won tho liigh 
ros»;»rd of all who know him. 



^^^^t-^m^ 



,I>II.1.1AM C\ lUJANDT is nototl fv>r iiis in- 
^1 (Instrions halut^ anil onterprisins; spirit, 
^^ aiul is one of tho rising yonng farnici-s of 
Olive Ti>wnship, wheio ho is KH'jiled on sodion 
2'.'. lie is a native of this plaoo, his hirth ("KX'ur- 
ring .lune 2'J. 18:>8, and his father, .1. S. Brandt, 
born in (Jormany SepteniUM- l.i. 181,"i, was reared 
in his native place, there learning the ciKipcr's 
trade. Dn his arrival in America in 18J0 Mr. 
I>n\iidl immediately journeyed to St. I.ouis. wheiv 
he remained for some time working at his trade. 
Five years later we lind him in Olive Townsliii>, 
liH-ated on a farm, he and his t>r»>ther puivh:i#ing 
a tract together. It tuially came into tlie posses- 
sion of the father of our subject by the death of 
his brother, after whieli he sold the farm and pur- 
chased the farm whei-e our subject i-esides. Here he 
engaged in general farming and stock-raising until 
his death, which s;id event iKvnrred .January li', 
1893, when he w.hs mourned alike by i-elatives and 
friends. 

Politically the father of our subject w;is a 
stanch Republican and held the olMce of School 
Dirwtor for a numl>er of years. He w.-tsan honest, 
upright man, courteous in his inteivoui-se with his 
fellow-men. and Iteing jwssessed of the averaire 
amount of energy and |>erscverance he w:»s Uunid 
to make a suivcss of whatever he uudertix>k. He 
was well known throughout tlie county and was 
heltl in the highest regard for his many excellen- 
cies of character. 

The mother of our subject, known in her 
maulenhiHxl as Krnestine Wissbrix.'kcr, was a na- 
tive of Oermany.and died in this country in 1857. 
She was the witlow of Philip Urandt at the lime 
of this union anil w:is the mother of three chil- 



ilivn: (.'aroline, who diol in infancy; Caroline 
(sci'ond) and l.ouisji, both of whom are dece.ised. 
.\ family of seven children came Xo bless her sec- 
ond union: Bertha, who is deceased; Krnesl, a 
resident of this county; Charles, dccea.^d; Kd- 
nnind, a farmer residing in Wasliingt<u> Slalt*; 
Kmily M. AV., who is living on the old home place; 
Emma, who died in 18(;7,and William C., our sub- 
jtvl. All of the children were Inirn in this ci>uuty, 
and the youngest child is now ellicienlly carrying 
on the old homestead. His place comprises two 
hundred acres of excellent land, all but ten ."teres 
of which is under s|)lendid cultivation. He raises 
all the cereals and has on his pl.acc some of the 
tinesl stiK'k in the townshi|). He li!U< always lived 
in this township, and was educated in the district 
schools of the neiglilH>rhood. l\>litically Will- 
iam C. l>randl is, like his father, a st.'dwart Re- 
publican, and is ever ready to give aid to any- 
thing that will enhance the welfare of the town- 
ship and ci>unty. He is possessed of good busi- 
ness ability and ably manages his landed interests 
so as to make the same a paying investment. In 
this ixinmuiiity he h;>s a wide acquainUincc and is 
held in high regard by those who know him. 



^ 



•^^r*— *" 



=2^ HARI.KS W. KINGKRV. a farmer residing 
in Alhambra Township. w:is born in Ciim- 
l>erland County. 111., in 1812. and is a son 
of William and ElizalH-th (Aeernian) Kingery. 
His father, who followed the occupation of a 
farmer, was a native of Pennsylvania, and remov- 
ing thence lo Ohio, was there married. Some- 
what later in life he came west ti> Illinois, and 
making a settlement in Cuml>erland County, pur- 
chiised farm property, u|hui which he was tx-cu- 
pied as a tiller of the soil until his decease. His 
wife died when Charles W. w.as a lad of ten years, 
leaving two sons and two daughters, viz.: .John, 
who is an .agriculturist by «H.vu|«»titMi and at pres- 
ent resides near Hudson ville, HI.; Charles W.; 
Sarah, formeily the wife of Andrew Spore and 



PORTRAIT AND P.Tr)r;nAPTnrAL RKCORD. 



423 



now rleceascfl; anrl Nancy, wlio married Kinaii- 
uel Sparks, now (U-ceascd. 

Soon after his mother's death our subject was 
bound out U) Irvin I^ke, a farmer, with wliom he 
was to remain until lie attained liis majorit}'. His 
emi)lo3'er, however, treated him unkindly, and he 
therefore left the place at the age of nineteen, 
after whicli he traveled in various states and was 
engaged as a farm laKiorer. In his life work he 
has labored under many disadvantages, never hav- 
ing had an^- educational privileges in liLs youth. 
For a time he was occupied in Douglas Count}', HI., 
working by the month on a farm. In that waj' 
he continued employed until his marriage, which 
occurred in Madison Count}', uniting him with 
Mrs. Pha-be E. (Sanders) King. This lad}' had 
three children by her former husband, Isam King, 
viz.: Anna, wife of Bazil Wright; Elizabeth, who 
married Edson Rvder: and Matilda. decea.sed. Our 
subject and his wife have had three children, but 
one died in infancy. The others are Laura and 
Ixjttie. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Kingery has de- 
voted his attention exclusively to general farm- 
ing, and at the present time is operating forty 
acres l>elonging to his wife. UjKjn this place he 
raises the various cereals to which the soil is 
adapted. Agriculture has engaged his attention 
to the exclusion of public matters, and he has 
never cared to participate actively in local affairs. 
In politic-al opinions he Ls strictly non-partisan, 
voting for the men and measures rather than the 
party itself. 



OX. WILLIAM McKITRICK, the present 
fflicient Supervisor of Olive Township, has 
t»een the incumbent of that office for more 
than a decade. He is a native of .larvis 
Township, this county, where he was bom October 
.3, 18.^0. to.Iohn L. and Agnes (Bell; McKitrick. 
The father wa.s Ixjm in Ireland, and on coining to 
America in 1848, located near Tro}', in this coun- 
ty. In IH'jd he concludetl to try Olive Township 
as his home, and here purchased a farm on section 



11, when his deatii fx^nrred February 11, l6l'j, 
when in his eighty-first year. 

The grandfather of our subject, William by 
name, was of Scotch descent, and died in the Old 
Country. Mrs. .lolin McKitrick was born in 
County Down, Ireland, and was reared in her na- 
tive place, receiving a fair education. She is still 
living and is seventy years of age. Her father, 
.lames Bell, was descended from Scotch parents and 
was l>orn in Ireland. 

The original of this sketch is the eldest of six 
children born to his |>arents, two lK>ys ind four 
girls, one of whom died in infancy. lie was 
reared in his native county and received liLs edu- 
cation at the district schools of the neighborhood. 
He remained at home a.ssisting his father in the 
duties of the farm until reaching his majority, 
when he started out in life for himself and com- 
menced to learn the c-arpenter's trade. This he 
followed for eight years and then turned his at- 
tention to farming and stock-raising, which he fol- 
lowed until 1881. At this time Mr. McKitrick 
moved to Staunton and engaged in the restaurant 
business for about nineteen years, after which he 
went into partnership with W. R. Livingston in 
the farm implement and harness business. 

Augast 8, 1872, Mr. McKitrick was united in mar- 
riage with MLss Parmelia B. .Johnson, who was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and who came to Staunton. 
There she died JIarch 5. 1892, having become the 
mother of seven children, one of whom died in in- 
fancy. The living are named -John L., Huston B.. 
Florence B., William, Amelia and Clara V. 

The subject of this sketch is at preseut making 
his home on section 15, Olive Township, but being 
a man of prominence, has for some time given his 
attention to public offices. In 1881 he was elected 
Township .Supervisor on the Republican ticket, 
and has been the incumbent of that office since, 
with the exception of two years. In 1890 Mr. 
McKitrick was elected Representative for the 
Forty-first Senatorial District, and has been a Di- 
rector of the School Board for a period of fifteen 
years. He wasals<j.Iusticc of the Peace four years. 
Town Clerk and Assessor of his township for 
some time. The responsible duties of these vari- 
ous offices the Hon. Mr. McKitrick has not only 



121 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



f;iitlifiilly (liscliaigt'(l with cri'dil to liiiiiM'lf, liiil 
with satisfaction to the people. 

Socially the suhjt'ct of this sketch is a Icadinj; 
niemher of LoiljfC No. 32;"), A. O. l'. W., at Staun- 
ton, and the Modern Woodmen of Aniciica Lodije, 
also (if the same place. In lhe.se societies he has 
held various chairs and is at present I'ast Rlaster 
of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a 
pnl)lic-s|)iriled man and jjives his aid to every 
project caU'idatcd to advance the interests of the 
community, and his n)any sterling traits of'cliai- 
acter, his intelligence and lilieral views, and con- 
sideration in his dealings with all, justly place him 
amonq; the foremost citizens of Madison County. 




<& l>II.LIAM W()I,K, an honored and respected 
\rJ/l farmer occupying a farm on section 32, 
^^^ Olive Township, is the son of Gottleib 
Wolf and was born Septemlier 12, 1848, in Han- 
over, (Jermany. The grandfather w.as a black- 
smith b}- trade and carried on his business at Wes- 
sel, Germany, where the family was a prominent 
and respected one. 

The father of our subject foll<»wed the trade of 
a shoemaker all his life, and died in the Fatherland 
in his seventieth year. He was married to Mary 
Meyer, a native of Hanover, who died when about 
fifty years old. They became the parents of ten 
children, eight sons and two daughters. All but 
two grew to mature years, and seven came to 
America, the three now living being our subject; 
Ernest, wIk> kcc))s a store at Hamcl. and Charles, a 
resident of Missouri. 

William Wolf is ne.\t to the youngest child of 
his parents and was educated in the model schools 
of his native land. When about eighteen years 
old he came to America, first locating in New York 
City, thence going to St. lyOuis, where he remained- 
but a short time. He has made Madison County 
his home ever since, and on arriving here was in 
debt for his pass.age to this country and ha<l to 



Work haril one year to pay it, doing anything he 
ciiuld lind to do. 

In IHGH we linil our sulijecl in the Rocky 
Mountains, and, going to Helena, Mont., he worked 
there awhile by the day. Thence traveling to 
Deer Lodge City, liairtown and other places, he re- 
main(Ml mining in that country for six and a-half 
years with fair success. At the end of that time 
Mr. Wolf again came to this county and engaged 
with his brother Ernest in a general store at Hamel 
for a period of two years, when he sold out his in- 
terest and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty 
acres, where he n(jw makes his home. He is en- 
gaged thereon in general farming and stock-rais- 
ing, and his success in life is entirely due to his 
own energy and industry. 

.Septeinber 26, 1876, Mr. Wolf was married to 
Mary I'ranti, a native of St. Charles County, Mo., 
and a daughter of Charles and Clara Pranti, both 
of whom came from German}-. To this union 
was born a family of live children, Caroline, 
Charlie. Henry, Martha and Emma. Aftx^r the 
death of his first wife, Mr. Wolf was united in 
marri.age in 1888 with Caroline Engelke, and they 
have three children, Ernest, Fred and William. 

Politically Mr. Wolf casts his ballot with the 
Democratic party, and his ability being recognized 
by his fellow-townsmen, he was elected Road Com- 
missioner, which ollice he held three years. Mr. 
and Mrs. Wolf are devoted members of the Lu- 
theran Church in Hamel Township and are 
highly esteemed by the entire community. 



<)C -H--M--i"i-»»-H"H- j^ <"H"H'^--M--M"t^ X» 

^^J^USTAV KAITFMANN, who resides on sec- 
il (__ tion 2L Alhambra Township, is one of the 
^^^ extensive land-owners of Madison Coun- 
ty, owning nearly one thousand acres. For man}" 
years he has successfully carried on fai-niingand 
stock-raising, but his property is now rented. He 
is descended from one of the honored pioneer fam- 
ilies of this locality. His parents, John Andrew 
and Sophia (He.ssler) Kaufniann, were both na- 
tives of Prussia, Germany, the father born in 1787, 



PORTRAIT AKD BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



425 



and Uie niotliei- in Ajdil, 1702. Tlioy were mar- 
ried in Prussia, and in 1841 eainc to Uie United 
States, locating in Marine, 111., in October. Tlic 
following year they settled ujion llic farm wliicli 
is now tiie home of our subject. 

Mr. Kaufmann iiurcliased twenty acres f>f tim- 
ber and eighty acres of prairie land, but only 
twenty acres had lieen jiiaced under the plow, and 
a log cabin constituted the only improvement. 
Here the father followed farming throughout his 
remaining days. He had served as a Squire in 
Prussia, and as an otlicer in the Napoleonic 
wars. In a l)attle with Austria a ball passed 
through his leg, after wliicli he resigned his com- 
mission. Later he entered the Home Guards and 
was made Colonel. His death occurred in 1845, 
and his wife passed away in 1872. They had 
three children: Gustav; Rega, wife of George Wi- 
deccus, of Suninierfield, III., by whom she had 
three children; and I5ertlia, wife of Andrew Smith, 
of Marine Township. She has three children by 
this husband, and three children by a former mar- 
riage. The parents were both members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

Our subject was born in Prussia April 20, 1833, 
and at the .age of eleven accompanied his parents 
to America, where be arrived after a voyage of 
seven weeks. He at once began breaking laud, 
and was thus early inured to the arduous labor of 
devehjping a new farm. In 1859 he married Mar}' 
Jehle. Her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Neu- 
decker) Jehle, came to the United Stales in early 
life, and were married in St. Louis, where the fa- 
ther worked at his trade of wagon-making. In 
1858 he took up his residence at Marine, where 
he lived retired until his death, in 1865. His wife 
survived him until 1882. They were the parents 
of nine children, eight of whom are yet living, 
namely: Mrs. Kaufmann, John, William, (Jeorge, 
Louis, Henry, Eliza and Lena. Mr. and Mrs. 
Jehle were members of the Catholic Church, and 
in politics ho was a Republican. ]\Irs. Kauftnann 
was born in St. Louis January' 1, 1840, and was 
educated in the Convent of the Sacred Heart of 
that eit}-. 

Upon his marriage, Mr. Kaufmann took up gen- 
eral farmin<r, and has followed the same with 



most excellent success. He began life empty- 
handed, but has steadily worked his way up- 
ward, and is now one of the wealthy citizens of 
this community, his prosperitj' being due to en- 
terprise, jierseverance and well directed efforts. 

To our subject and his wife have been boin six 
children: Alliert, who wedded Mary Dowderman, 
and with his wife and three children lives in Al- 
hambra Township; William, who married Emma 
Dowderman, by whom he has four children; 
Amanda, wife of Henry Dowderman, of Alhambra 
Township, by whom she has three children; I5er- 
tlia, wife of Robert Hermann, of Kaufman; Au- 
gusta and (ieorge. The children liave been jiro- 
vided with good educational [)rivilcges, whicli have 
fitted them for the practical duties of life. 

Mr. Kaufmann is a member of the Lutheran 
Church of Marine, has served as School Director, 
and was the first Commissioner of Alhambra Town- 
ship. In politics he is a Republican. The town 
of Kaufman was named in his honor by the rail- 
road company, a fact which indicates tliat he is 
one of the leading citizens of the community. His 
life has been well and worthily spent, and all who 
know him esteem him highly for his sterling 
worth and strict integrity. 



• ^) i (^^) ! (^ ••• • «* • ' •^ 3 ' 



residents of Madison County is the gen- 
tleman whose life record we wdl proceed 
to briefly trace. His entire life has been 
passed within the limits of Jarvis Township, and 
for the past fifty -six years he has made his home 
on section 16, where lie owns a well improved 
farm. Successful in his chosen vocation, he is 
now living in retirement from the active duties of 
life, surrounded by all the comforts which his large 
means enabled him to secure. 

The i)arents of our subject, Samuel and Naomi 
(Renfro) Wood, were natives respectively of Vir- 
ginia and Tennes.see. They were married in Ten- 
nessee, later spent sixteen j'ears in W.ayne County, 
Ky., and then removed north to Illinois, settling 




-IJG 



1\)RTRA1T AND IJlOnRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



Iieix- prior to its admission to llie Union !is a state. 
Willi liie early history of the eoiiiily tlioy wore 
closely ideiililied, and eontriluiled tlicir qimta to 
tlie devolopineiit of its fanning lauds. After a 
lon<j life devoted to agricultural pursuits, the fa- 
ther de|)arlod this life in Madison County m 1850. 
Two yeais later he was followed to the licttor land 
b3' his widow. 

Andrew Wood was born in .larvis Township 
.July 2, 1817, and is therefore one of the oldest 
citizens now living in this comnuinity. In his 
hoyhood the subscription schools were theonly in- 
stitutions of learning the county afforded, and 
these he attended for a short time, thus having 
ver\- liniiled advantages for obtaining an educa- 
tion, lie remained at home until the age of six- 
teen, when he began in life for himself. His home 
has been on his present farm since January of 
1838, and its high state of cultivation is due al- 
most wholly to his untiring exertions. Ills life 
has l>een that of a hard working, shrewd business 
man and upright citizen. About six years ago he 
received a >troke of paralysis, which has entirely 
disabled him from further participation in the pur- 
suits of .active life. 

In .\ugust, 1837, Mr. Wood married Miss Eliza, 
daughter o( .lames and Cynthia Cowan, natives of 
Kentucky. They became the parents of nine chil- 
dren, of whom three died in infancy, and four are 
living at the present time. They are, Elizabeth, 
wife of Henry Park, residing near Decatur, HI.; 
William E., who lives in .San .lose. Cal.; Euly, 
wife of .Jordan Tilly, of Tro3', HI.; and .John E., 
with whom our subject makes his home. The wife 
and niDther departed this life in 18C'.), mourned by 
all wIk> knew her. She was an industrious, intelli- 
gent and amiable lady, possessing many noble at- 
tributes t)f heart and mind. The welfare of her 
husband and children was ever uppermost with 
her. .Such was her economy and good manage- 
ment in housciiold affairs, that the success alUiined 
by Mr. Wood was largely due to her self-denying 
efforts. In 1872 our subject married Mi-s. Pris- 
cilla (Conlee) Ross, who died in February, 18'J3. 
.Mr. Wiiod was reared in the faith of the Baptist 
Church, to which he still adheres. In politics he 
Las been a lifelong Democrat, and although never 



aspiring to iniblic olllce, h.<us .assisted in all worthj' 
movements so far as able. 

.lohn E., with whom our subject resides, enjoyed 
good educational advanUages in youth, and has 
spent his entire life on the farm where he w.as Iwrn 
April 27. 18.")r). At the age of twenty he began in 
life for himself, and is now operating one hundred 
an<l twenty acres of as finely improved land as 
may be found in .larvis Townsiiip. .lune 3, 1877, 
he married Miss .lulia A., daughter of Thomas and 
Dorothea Sparks, natives respectively of Kentucky 
and (ierinany, and early settlers of Madison Coun- 
ty, where the}- ranked among its substantial citi- 
zens. To their union were born two children, An- 
drew T. and Edwin B. As a citizen, .lohn E. Wood 
has iiroved himself progressive, and in politics 
votes for the man whom he thinks w-ill best fill the 
oflice, regardless of part}' lines. 




(5^=^ 



•ffjOIIN LIVINGSTON, the owner and occu- 
pant of a well improved farm on section 
16, Olive Township, is numbered among 
the industrious and prosperous .agricultur- 
ists of this productive country. Our subject was 
born in Count}' Monaghan, Ireland, December 25, 
1830, to James and Sarah (Batlicl) Livingston, n.a- 
tives of the same place as w.as their son. The fa- 
ther died in his native land when in his sixtieth 
year, and the mother came to America, p.assing 
away in Madison County, this state, when seventh- 
years of age. 

.Tolin, our subject, is the youngest of six chil- 
dren and was about sixteen years of age when he 
came to Madison County with his mother. His 
first schooling was in the Old Country, and after 
coming here he worked out by themimlhon farms 
at fifty cents per day. The date of the marriage of 
Mary A. J. Brown and .John Livingston w.as No- 
vember, 1857. The lady w;us born in the Emerald 
Isle, July 11, 1838, and with her husband located 
on a farm in this i't)unty. In 18()1 Mr. Livingston 
purchased the farm on which he now lives, which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



427 



was but very little inii)r<jved at tiic time. lie at 
oiiee set aliout its cultivation and now lias two liun- 
clrcd and ninely-scven acres of as finely tilled land 
as is to he found in tlie county. 

Mr. and IMrs. Livinj^ston are the i)arents of the 
following children: Sarah; Martha, the wife of 
11. .1. Iloxey, of this township; Nellie, Mrs. Charles 
Frame; Robert, living in New Douglas Township; 
William .)., now deceased; Jessie, David, Mary 
and Cora Belle, who are at home with their jtarenls. 
Robert married Lillie T>. Olive and is in business 
for himself in Staunton. 

Our subject is a stalwart Republican and has 
served as Scliool Director for some time. He has 
held the oflice of Iligliwa}- Commissioner for a 
l^eriod of fifteen years. He and his estimable wife 
are members of the Presbyterian Church at Staun- 
ton, and are active workers in the good cause. 
Socially Mr. Livingston was at one time a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but is 
now connected wilii Lodge No. 32.5, A. O. U. W., 
at Staunton, and is one of the Trustees in that 
order. He has ever borne his part in the work 
of public improvement and advancement, and 
tills volume would be incomplete without the re- 
cord of lii» life. 



4^ 



■S^RNST AV. SUIIUE. Among the n.atives of 
iM Germany who have established permanent 
/I' — --^ ' homes in this country', may be mentioned 
the name of Ernst W. Siilirc, a pros|)crous resident 
of (Jlive Township. The farm which he has oc- 
cupied since 1878 is one of the most valuable in 
the township, and comprises two hundred and six- 
ty-two and one-half acres, located on section 32. 
Upon the land there have been (ilaced all the im- 
provements characteristic of a model farm, and 
the soil is under excellent cultivation as a result 
of proper fertilization and systematic rotation of 
crops. 

In Hanover, Germany, the subject of this sketch 
was born on the 2'Jtli of .September, 1811, being a 
son of Henry and Mary (Highlander) Suhre, both 



natives of Germany. The father brought his fam- 
ily to America in 1846, lirst locating in St. Louis, 
and thence coming to Madison County, lived for 
two years south of Edwardsville, after which he 
went to Alhambra Township, where he died Au- 
gust 4, 1894, at the advanced age of eighty-nine 
j'ears. In his younger daj's he was a wooden 
shoemaker by trade and brought his tools with 
him to this countr}', but did not do much in that 
line here. The good wife and mother is living, 
and now in her eighty-seventh j'ear is hale and 
hearty. She became the mother of seven children, 
only three of whom are living, our subject, Will- 
iam and Fred. 

F^rnst W. was but a babe of two years on com- 
ing to the New World, and was reared and educa- 
ted in Alhamhra Townshii) in both the F^ngllsh 
and German languages. He aided his father in 
the duties of the home farm, becoming thoroughly 
familiar with all the details, thus fitting himself to 
carry on a farm of his own, and in 18G8 iiurchased 
a tract of eighty acres. To this original purchase 
Mr. Sulire has been able to add from time to time 
until now he is the possessor of two hundred and 
sixty-two and one-half acres; this tract bears the 
best iinprovements and is under good cultivation. 
The stock to be found on his estate is of the best 
grades, and the necessary buildings are substantial 
and neat. He has led an honorable and upright 
life, and the confidence and high regard of the en- 
tire community is his. 

The original of this life history was married in 
1808 to INIiss Mary Highlander. She bore him 
seven children and departed this life in the year 
1871. Four sons are now living, lirnest, Henry, 
Harmon and Rudolph, all of whom are at home. 
Mr. Suhre was a second time married in 1880, Miss 
Soiihia I5launk(.' becoming his wife. The lady is a 
native of (iermany and the daughter of Ernst and 
Catharine Blaunke. My this union four children 
were born, August, Louis, Eddie and Minnie. Our 
suljject and his worthy wife are members of the 
Evangelical Church, in which denomination Mr. 
Suhre has held various olllces. In (lolitics he is a 
sui)i)orter of the Repulilican party but has never 
.aspired to public prominence. In his business ca- 
reer he has met with signal success, and his dili- 



428 



PORTRAIT AND mOGRAPIlICAL RKCORD. 



gencc and good management have made him the 
owner of a good farm and the possessor of a com- 
forlal)k' competence, lie loves liis adopted coun- 
try, and the coninuinity recognizes in him a valued 
citizen. 



G= 



<v*7- 



[(g^, 



I^ 



=0 



(OISEPII KRUG is the owner of four large 
grecn-houscs in Alton Township, ainl de- 
votes his time to the pleasant occupatiun of 
raising tlowers and shrubs, lie also ships 
great (piantities of vegetables to tiie large cities 
(luring the winter season, which business he finds 
to be very profitable. He is thoroughly posted in 
lloricullure, and is lecognized as one of the nio.st 
successful in this occupation in this portion of the 
slate. 

Our subject was born in Ohio in 18.'?6, and is 
the son of Adam and Conelia ( Aukenbauni) Krug, 
natives of (ierniany. The former was born in 
Mavaria, and was tlieie reared on his father's farm. 
He was educated in the model schocils (jf liial coun- 
try- and remained under llie parental rixjf until his 
tnarriage. His union willi the mother of our sulj- 
ject resulted in the birth of ten children, of whom 
Joseph w:is the 3'oUMgest and lliu only member of 
the f;iiiiily b(jrn in America. 

Ailam Krug was the only one of iiis brothers 
and sisters to make his home in the New World, 
to which he emigrated in 1832, locating first in 
Cincinnati, Ohio. From there he made his way to 
the cenlr;il portion of the state, and piiicliasing a 
(piarter-sectuin of good farming land, turned his 
attention to its cultivation. His next move was 
made to IJayton, where his decease occurred when 
in his eighty-first year. His good wife survived 
him several years, dyiiii; at the age of eighty-two 
veal's. 

Our subject prosecuted his studies for a time in 
the coniinon schools, and then entered the Xavies 
College in Cincinnati, where he took a course, lb' 
remained with his parents until attaining man's es- 
tate, and then, his elder brother being engaged xs 



a gardener near the Queen City, he began working 
with him, and thus became thoroughly acipiainted 
with that branch of liusincss, wliieh lie has since 
followed with such good results. 

.Joseph Krug was married in Dayton, Ohio, at 
the age of twenty years, his wife being MissKliza- 
beth, daughter of Adam and Catherine I51oom. 
Mrs. Krug w.as born in New .Icrsey, while her 
parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany. To 
our subject and his estimable wife were born 
eight daughters and five sons, of whom two are 
deceased. Barbara is at home with her father 
and mother; Mary is the wife of Philip Walter, 
and resides on a farm near Godfrey; Catherine, 
Elizabeth, .Viina, Otillie, Clara and ICslelhi are at 
home; Joseph is in Alton; .K)liii married Lillie 
Clifford, and Alweshus is single; (ieorge and Will- 
iam are deceased. The children have been edu- 
cated in the schools of Alton, and titled to occu[)y 
almost any position in life. 

The original of this sketch came west to Illi- 
nois in 1861, locating in Alton Township on the 
farm which he had purchased the [irevious ^ear. 
It consisted of eighteen acres williin the corporate 
limits of North Alton, and here lie began raising 
vegetables, supiilying the city markets with the 
very finest green vegetation of all kinds, .\bout 
nineteen years ago he branched out and began 
niakiiig a study of lloriculture, and soon thereafter 
commenced to cultivate llowers, on a small scale at 
first. Now, however, he is recognized as authority 
in this industry in the southern portion of the 
state, and has obtained this high position not only 
by hard manual labor, but by keeping himself 
thoroughly posted upon the best methods to bring 
about such a resiill. lie now owns four liot-liouses 
of large dimensions, which are fitted up with the 
most modern improvements in the wa)' of heating 
and lighting, besides numerous smaller buildings. 

Mr. Krug has a fine brick residence on his place, 
which, surrounded b.y its blooming garden, forms 
one of the most beautiful pictures to be found in 
the landscape of this section. He has associated 
with him in business three sons, who ai'e intelli- 
gent, enterprising and progressive young men, and 
upon them the greater part of the hard labor falls. 
The family are all members of the Roman Catho- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



429 



lie Cliuich, and in politics our subject is a Demo- 
crat, lie is very popular in this section, and has 
been the incumbent of various local positions of 
honor and trust. 



€^ 



'!&> 



W oris PFISTER, who is the present efficient 
I ^ Postmaster of Fosterhurgli, is a native of 
/l^^ Switzerland, where he was born February 
15, 1850, to Louis and Mary Pfister. The father 
was a stonemason by trade, which he carried on 
until his death, that event occurring in St. Louis 
in 1873; he came to the United States about 
1856. The good wife and mother died in her na- 
tive country, when our subject was about two 
years old; she was the mother of two children, 
Louis and Robert, the latter of whom is making 
his home in Belleville, this state, and is a painter 
by trade. 

Coming to the United States with his father 
wlien but a lad of six years, our subject was at 
once bound out in Iowa to a man bearing the 
name of Willis Wills, with whom iie remained 
but a twelvemontii, when, on account of ill treat- 
ment, he ran awa}', going to Lexington, Mo., to 
wliich place he was compelled to walk, having no 
money. In the Last named city young Louis made 
his home until 1809, at wliich tune he journeyed 
west to Wyoming, and engaged in herding cattle 
on a large ranch. In 1872 he went on a Govern- 
ment survey. 

In the year 1870 we find Mr. Pfister in Madi- 
son County engaged in farming at Alton .luiiction, 
where he remained until 1887, the date of his com- 
ing to this city. He is now proprietor of a fine 
hardware store, having .as his partner John 
Oruettel. Tlie building is 26x50 feet in dimen- 
sions, with a warehouse 20x10 feet, and their 
business is one of the most prosperous in the town. 
They carry groceries, tinware and all things in- 
cluded in a good hardware store and also agricul- 
tural implements of all kinds. 

June 18, 1884, Mr. Pfister and Miss Mary K., a 
daughter of Carel and Mary (Bower) Scheiber, were 



united in marriage. To them was born a family 
of two children, who are named Mamie and Alice. 
Mrs. Pfister was reared in the faith of the Catholic 
Church, while our subject does not belong to any 
religious body. Political!}', he is a stanch Demo- 
crat, and was appointed to the responsible position 
of Postmaster of his town July 27, 1892, by 
President Cleveland. Socially, he is a member of 
Wildy Camp No. 1, and Encampment No. 466, 
I. O. O. F., at Upper Alton. lie is a man well 
known and respected for his man}' sterling quali- 
ties and upright character. 



ENRY B A use II is one of the fore- 
most farmers of Fosterhurgh Township. 
His well improved property, which con- 

Z^ sists of one hundred and forty acres of 
land, is situated on section 7. He is a native of 
southern German^', having been born near Frank 
fort-on-the-Main, January 6, 1826. He is a son 
of Christian and Anna (Hoffman) Bausch, the 
former of whom is in turn a son of Daniel and 
Catherine (Root) Bausch. The grandfather was 
born in the same place as was our subject, and 
lived and died on his farm there. He reared the 
following children: Christian, Henry and Barbara. 
He and his wife were members of the Lutheran 
Church, and died at the respective ages of eighty- 
two and seventy-five. 

The father of our subject was educated in the 
common schools of his native land, Germany, and 
was there married and became tjic father of two 
children: Henry, our subject; and Barbara, who 
married Henry Powell, and died in Germany. 
Young Henry was educated in the model schools 
of the Fatherland, and came to the United States 
in 1853, locating in Alton, this stale. He had 
barely enough money to get here with, and at once 
set to work in a lumber yard, where he was em- 
plo^'ed for one ^ear. 

Our subject was married in Alton in 1851, to 
Miss Susan Scheldt, a daughter of Henry and 
Susan Scheldt. .She was born in (Jeriiiany, and 



UM) 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL Ul'X'OUlJ. 



caiiii- lo Aini'iifa in llic same vessel with our sub- 
ject, 'riiey were six weelvs on tbc water, and en- 
countered a terrific storm one clay. I in mediate l}- 
after iiis niarriai^e, young Henry purchased a tract 
of one liundred and twenty acres, where he now 
makes hlshomc. He was obliged to go in debt for 
every cent of it. He at once coiiiiiienced clearing 
and grubhing it and soon had it all paid for. He 
has since added twenty acres more, having in all 
one liundred and fort}' acres of as fine land as is 
to be found in the county. 

A family of eight children was born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hausch, live of whom died in infancy. The 
surviving are, Amelia, who is the wife of Fred 
Cook, and makes her home with her father; Henry, 
a cigai-iiiakor in Alton; and Anna, at honie with 
her father. Henry was educated in both the 
(Jerman and English schools at Alton. Our sub- 
ject IS a devout member of the I'resb\'terian Church, 
as was also his wife, who died in Februar}-, 181)2. 
He served as Elder for a number of years. Politi- 
cally, he is a stalwart Pfpiiblicaii, and has served as 
School Director and lligliway Commissioner of his 
district. He has raised a numl)er of .lersey cattle, 
in wliicii he takes jjieat (nide, and also has some 
thoroughbred swine. 

The house in wliicli .Mr. liansch was born was 
built in l,5t!l, and is composed of both stone and 
wood. The grind father of our subject was a .Ser- 
geant in the Holland army. 



-€3. 



"SI 



-^-^r^m^- 



JOHN ISKNDKU is one of the oldest of Ihe 
native-born citizens of Madison County, his 
birth having occuried near the vill«ge of 
_,^ Marine Deceinbei 22, 183'J. He has been an 
eye-witness of much of the progress and develop- 
nienl of the county, has seen its wild prairies trans- 
formed into line farms, its log cabins replaced by 
commodious residences, churches and school houses 
built, manufactories and industries estaljlislied, 
until in the course of civilization the count}' has 
been placed in the front rank among her sister 
counties in Illinois. 

Our subject's fallu'i, Ibiny I'leader, was born in 



Hcs-se, Germany, in 1811, and losing liis parents in 
childhood, was reared by an older brother. The 
latter being the only other member of tin' family, 
he received the property left by the parents. In 
boyhood Henry had few educational advantages, 
but learned to read and write, and subseiiuently, 
by observation and self-enlliiie, gained a broad 
knowledge of men and things. At the age of 
eighteen he emigrated to the I'nited States, set- 
tling in Bedford County, Pa., where for several 
years he was employed as a teamster, driving a 
six-horse team between \\liceliiig ',V. \"a., and 
Pittsburg, Pa. 

In an early day Henry Pender removed west to 
Missouri, and there inarrie<l iMi.ss Elizabeth 
Schwaitzeop, a native of I>e(lfur<l County, Pa. 
This lady went to Missouri with her parents, and 
her father, who had been a weaver in Pennsyl- 
vania, was similarl}' engaged at Coltleville, near 
St. Charles, Mo. About IH.'i I Mr. Pender came to 
Madi.soii CouiitN', 111., where for a tiiii" heienteda 
farm near Marine, but later |)urehased |ii'iipeity in 
the same locality. lleae(|uired the owneisliip of 
one hnndied acres, where his closing years were 
passed. In religious belief he was a member of 
the Methodist ICpiscopal Church; liis wife was 
reared a Catholic, but did not retain membership 
in that church after her marriage. In politics he 
was (irsl a AVIiig and later a Pepublican. His 
wife died in May, 1881, and the following nionlh 
his eyes closed upon the scenes of earth. 

The family of Henry Pender consisted of the 
following children: Elizabeth, the deceased wife 
of Carl Lawrence; .lohn, of this sketch: William, 
who (iieii in the 3'ear 18'.I3; Henry, a traveling 
salesman of Kansas City; George, who is city lum- 
ber inspector t)f St. Louis; Mary, who married 
N'alenline llaiitz, a farmer of Iowa. Two children 
died in infancy. In the district schools of Madi- 
son County our subject received a fair education, 
and remained with his parents until reaching 
manhood. At the opening of the Civil War in 
18(n he entered the service as a member of Com- 
jiany F, Tenth Illinois Cavalry, and with his com- 
pany proceeded to Missouri, where he look part 
in till' battle of Prairie (irove. He also partici- 
pated in the conllict at Little Kock. The work of 




JOHN NEl'DECKER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD • 



433 



the regiment was principally among' bushwhack- 
ers, wliicli was even more periluus than the larger 
engagements of the main armies. Fortunately 
Mr. Bender was neither wounded nor taken pris- 
oner. At San Antonio, Tex., he was mustered 
out of the service, his discharge bearing (iale of 
January' 6, 1866. 

For two years after returning home from the 
war, Mr. Bender remained with his father and then 
established a home for himself, choosing as his 
companion Miss liertha, daughter of Gottlieb Ack- 
ernian. This lady was born in Saxony, Germany, 
and accompanied her parents to the United Slates, 
settling in Washington County, 111. Seven chil- 
dren complete the family circle, Curtis C, Julius, 
Annie, Augusta, Uattie, Olga and Naomi. The 
eldest son is a well educated young man and for 
two years has engaged in teaching school. 

After renting land for six years, Mr. Bender 
bought an eighty-acre tract of prairie land, in ad- 
dition to which he now owns some timber land, 
lie also cultivates one hundred acres in this local- 
ity. In politics a Republican, he h.as been elected 
upon the ticket of that party to numerous offices 
of trust. For six years he has served as Road 
Commissioner and for twelve years has served as a 
member of the School Board. 






OllN NFUDECKFR, who .at the time of his 
decease was one of the wealthiest agricult- 
urists of Jladison Count}', was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, .Jul}' 28, 1819. He was 
the son of Geurge and Margaret (Stcinwasser) 
Neudecker, also natives of that couiitiv, where the 
father died in 1831. lie was a weaver b}' trade 
and a man well respected in his community. 

The original of this sketch has one sister, Eliza- 
beth, the widow of Joseph Gelile,and the mother 
of tlie following-named children: Mary, John, Will- 
iam, Louis, George, Henry, Eliza and Lena. 
John, of this sketch, was a30uth of eighteen years 
when he came to America. He had learned the 
18 



trade of a weaver in the Fatherland, but his first 
work after locating in the Mound City w.as on the 
Mississippi River steamboats, where he learned to 
be an engineer. Later he was similarly employed 
in the flour mills in St. Louis. 

In tlie above city in 1844, John Neudecker mar- 
ried Miss Catlierine Weisenbacker, and with his 
family continued to reside there until 1853, when 
he came to the village of Marine and purchased 
the sawmill owned by Henry Reincker. Form- 
ing a partnership with Mike Schmidt, he was en- 
gaged ill its operation for six months, when the 
connection was dissolved. The following year he 
erected a large steam flouring mill, the first of its 
kind in Marine Township, and carried on the bus- 
iness of a miller for eleven years. During that 
time he amassed considerable wealth, and when, in 
1864, he disposed of the plant to F. Tiemann & 
Co., he turned his attention to speculating in real 
estate. He was thus engaged until his decease, 
which sad event took place September 6, 1883. 

Mrs. Neudecker is still living, and makes her 
home in the village of Marine. She was born in 
Alsace-Lorraine, January' 1, 1826, the daughter 
of John Nicholas and Catherine (Berke) AVeiscn- 
backer, the former born in Alsace-Lorraine and the 
latter in Strasburg. The^' came to the United 
States in 1836, and after making their home for a 
time in New York City, moved to Pittsburg, Pa., 
and from tbere in 1840 to St. Louis, Mo., where 
Mr. Weisenbacker died in 1849. His wife sur- 
vived him man}' years, passing away in 1874, 
while a resident of Marine, III. 

To our subject and his estimable wife there were 
born twelve cliildren, seven of whom are living 
at the present time. Peter, born in 1850, married 
Johanna Voight and makes his home in Marine 
Township; Emma M., born in 1854, is the wife of 
Charles Gulatli and resides in St. Louis, Mo.; 
Mary, born in 1858, married Fred Grotefendt, a 
farmer of Marine Township; Helen, born in 1860, 
is the wife of Jacob E. Krucker and makes her 
home in St. Joseph, Mo.; Edward, born in 1862, 
married Abbic Dewey and is living in Marine; 
Charles, wliose birth occurred in 1865, -married 
Emma Yolk and is a resident of Marine; Louis, 
born in 1868, and now living in Marine, married 



434 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'IIICAL RKCORD. 



Annie May, dauglitcr of William May, wiiose 
sketcli appears on another page in this vt>liime; 
.John !;• next in order. Catherine, John, William 
and (leorjje are deceased. 

In iKilities Mr. Neudecker was a stronjj Repub- 
lican. With his wife he was a devoted member of 
the Catholic Church, in which faith all their chil- 
dren were reared. He held the position of School 
Treasurer, and for a ntimhor of year.s was Justice 
of the Peace, both of which olllces he filled accepl- 
ahly. He was an industrious, hard-working man 
and made ail the improvements on his farm, which 
included over seven hundred acres. He was rec- 
ognized as one of the most influential and wealthy 
men in the county. 



^ ORYDON C. BROWN, Esy. This 
.'[( _ nent and much esteerred agricultu 
^^^/ Foslerhurgh Township is the propri 



ORYDON C. BROWN, Esy. This promi- 

Iturist of 
rietor of 

a good esUite, which has been brought to its pres- 
ent nourishing condition by good management on 
his |)art. He has also l>een favoraljly before the 
public in various ollicial positions, in eacii and 
every one of whicli he gave the utmost satis- 
faction. 

Mr. Brown was born in Rensselaer County', N. Y., 
October IK. 1821, and is the son of Daniel and Ilulda 
(Tanner) IJrown, and the grandson of iJanicl and 
Martha Brown. The grandfather was born in one 
of the New ICngland States and came of an old 
Colonial family. He early in life removed to the 
above county in New York, where he cariied on 
farm pursuits and succeeded in accumulating a 
handsome property for that early day. 

Daniel Brown, Jr., was the eldest of his father's 
family, tiie others being. John, Rodger, Kraslus, Ru- 
fus, William, and Margaret, who married Jeremiali 
Rose. They arc all engaged in tilling the soil in 
different parts of the country, Rufus having lo- 
cated at an early da^' near Ciuincy, this slate, and 
another of the family near Toledo, Ohio. The 
graiid|)areMls lived anil died in the Km|)ire State, 



])assing away when advanced in years. They were 
both nicmliers in good standing of the ISaptist 
Church, and were i)eople highly respected for their 
honest and straightforward methods of living. 

The father of our subject when beginning life 
for himself rented land in New York. He left a 
widow and eight children, those besides our sub- 
ject being Ilulda, .losephine, Martha, Charlotte L., 
Daniel T., Edwin A. and Caroline E. They are 
all deceased with the exception of the last-named, 
who is the wife of John Miles, of Iowa. 'J"he mother 
kci)t her famil}- with her for many years, and 
when advanced in life went to Johnson County, 
Iowa, where our subject was living, and spent 
the most of the remainder of her days under his 
roof. 

Corydcra C. Brown when a lad of twelve ^-ears 
made his home with a brother-in-law until reach- 
ing his seventeenth ^ear. Then, with other mem- 
bers of the family-, he came to this stale, and re- 
mained for one year in (^uincy, where he was 
employed in working out by the month. He then 
went to Iowa, and in Johnson County entered 
eighty acres of land from the (iovernment, to 
which he added until he had one hundred and 
twenty acres, .\fler a stay of fourteen years in 
the llawkeye Slate Mr. Brown came to Illinois, 
locating lirst in Macou|)in County, and in 1853 
made his advent into Kosterburgli Township. Here 
he was married in 1854 to Miss Ingabee, daughter 
of .John ami Mary (Hunt) \'aiinalta. Her father 
einigraled to this section from Ohio in 18;!2, and 
became one of the well-to-do farmeis of the county. 

When Mr. Brown located here tlieonl\' improve- 
ment which his farm bore was a little ])lank house, 
IGx22 feet in dimensions, which w.as surrounded 
by a few old cherry trees. This rude structure 
later gave way to a more eomfoilable and commo- 
dious dwelling, whose atlracliveness is further en- 
hanced by the beauliful lawn on all sides and the 
numerous choice fruit trees which adorn the place. 

To our suliject and his estimable wife weie born 
two chililien, of whom .Mary .M. is the wife of 
S. H. Culp. The other child dietl when young 
in years. They also took into their hearts and 
home Arthur Crowden, who died when thirteen 
years of age, and Amy L. Deck, who still re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



435 



mains witli them. Mr. and INIrs. Brown are con- 
sistent members of tiie Christian Cliurcli. In 
politics our subject was in early life a Wiiig, but 
now votes with the Ive[(ubiican parly, lie was 
elected Justice of the Pe.ace in 1.S69, and was the 
incumbent of that position for twenty years, lack- 
ing seven months. He is also a member *{ the 
School Board, having been its Treasurer for the 
past Bfteen 3'ears. 



V 







Ik^^ B. PEARCE is numbered among the lead- 
ing farmers of Olive Township, where he 
owns a good estate of three hundred and 
sixty acres, located on section 28. Be- 
ginning his career in this locality with but very 
little capital, he has, with ability and energetic 
enterprise, worked his wa^- to assured success. Mr. 
Pearce was born March 29, 1839, in Madison 
County, 111., to which place his parents came in 
1815. . 

James Pearce, the father of our subject, was a 
pioneer of the countj-, and owned a good farm, 
where he passed his last days, dying in 1864, in 
his seventy-third year. His wife, Erances (Martin) 
Pearce, came from Kentucky and died in this 
county in 1872, when about sixty-four years of 
.age. M. B. is the second in order of birth of the 
children born to his parents, and remained with 
them attending the common scliools until reaching 
his nintii year, when he came to Olive Township 
with his father and again took up his studies here, 
which lie continued until nineteen years of .age. 

At that age, in 18.58, young Pearce was united 
in marriage with Margaret Keown, who was a 
native of this county. The couple at once located 
on a small farm, only forty acres of which were 
broken. The house on the place had onl3' one 
room in it, but in 1872 IMr. Pearce w.as enabled to 
erect a more commodious one, in which he now 
lives. In the 3-ear 1871, the wife and mother died, 
after having borne her husband a family' of eight 
children, namely: Larkin A., a resident of this 



township; l\Iary F., also of this township; Will- 
iam, who died in 1880; George, a prominent citi- 
zen of Cripple Creek, Colo., where he is engaged 
in tiie dry-goods business; and Edward, living at 
home, and three who died in infancy'. 

The present home of the family was erected at a 
cost of 4^3,500, and the landed estate aggregates 
three hundred and sixty broad and fertile acres, 
forty of which have never yet been cleared of the 
timber. On the place are to be found substantial 
buildings of all kinds, and the grain and stock are 
of tlie best quality and grades. Mr. Pearce has 
been generous witli his children, for as they started 
out in life he gave them each land and money 
with which to commence. Politically he atiiliates 
with the Democratic party. 

Public spirited and progressive, Mr. Pearce takes 
an active interest in everything pertaining to the 
welfare of the comnninity, and does all in his 
power to aid in the upbuilding of the county'. 






ON. HENRY C. I'ICKEU, who represented 
his district in the Legislature in the year 
1 890, is the head of a large general store and 
lumberyard in Worden. Like most of the 
prominent residents of the county, he is of Ger- 
man birth, claiming Wcsti)halia as his native place, 
where he was born on the 21st of May, 1849. He is 
the son of William Picker, also a native of the 
Fatherland, as was also the mother, whose maiden 
name was Louisa F'arankamp. 

The original of this sketch was the lifth in order 
of birth of the parental family' of six sons and two 
daughters, and remained in his native land until 
reaching his seventeenth year. Ui)on landing in 
America he remained for a short time in New 
York City and then came to Alton, where he ar- 
rived with just fifty cents in money. He soon 
found emi)lo,yment as a farm hand, receiv.ing for 
his labors ^5 per month. He worked four years 
for Alex Fleck, during which time he studied hard 
to gain a good English education. After that he 
went to New Orleans as clerk on the levee, but 



436 



I'oiniJArr and iuookai'iikal hkcokd. 



soon ri-lurncd to Madison C'oiuily ami invested in 
property, wliieli he eiillivati'd on liis own aeeount. 

In 1S72 Mr. I'uker was married to Miss Callieiine 
Dornseif, wlu> was Ikuii in St. Louis, Mu. He oon- 
tiiiiu'ii to farm for the fi>llowin«; lliree years, llien 
solil out and invested his means in a store in 
tiie vilia-Jte of Worden. As his business increiised 
added to liis stoek of goods until now he has a 
tine estalilishment, litled up with all articles in de- 
mand in the e(.>untry home. 

l)ur sul)jeet was eleeted on the Deinooratic tiekot 
as a memlier of the Sljile l.eitislature from the 
Forly-lirst Distriet in l!<',H). Duriiii; his intuni- 
iK'ney of that iiosition he served on various eoin- 
niittees with eredil to himself and satisfaction to 
his eonslituents. lie h.-us also heen ."supervisor of 
his t(>wnship and served on the lirsl lUtard of 
Aldermen in the villayfe. lie has been School 
Director for a period o( lifteen years, and in every 
movement which has for its object the good of the 
community, he is always ftmnd \.o take a leading 
part. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Picker has been born a fam- 
ily of nine children, i>f whom tlK>se living are 
Lonis;i; William, a graduate of the Jones Business 
College in .St. Louis; John, Henry, Olinda and 
Alma. Those ilcceased are Ida, Kmma and Julius. 
Our subject is the owner of tme huntlred and 
fifty-live acres of line farming land on -section 12, 
tiiwnship 0, range 7, which he rents to good ad- 
van t;«j;e. 



I^^^^ 



KTKIv 1\KYL,\ND, who is carrying on a 
thriving trade as a grocer in .Mton, is the 
son of Michael Keyland, who w.ns born in 
the IJrand Duchy of Luxemburg, Ger- 
many, about seventy-live yeai-s ago. lie was a 
farmer by occupation and married Miss Margaret 
Falkenl>erg, wlu> w.as a native of the same place, 
where they spent their entire lives. 

The parentstl family included eight children, , 
our subject l>eing the eldest of the six living. ] 
They are, Katie, the wife of John Zenner, living in 
the Old Country; Nicholas, a resident of this city; , 



Annie, the wife of .lohn Wintringer, also living in 
(icrmany; John, who makes his home in Alton, 
and r»arbaia, also a resident of this city. The par- 
enl-s were members of the C'atholic Church. 

I'eter, i>f this sketch, was born in \Si)\ m Lux- 
emburg, and attended the common schools of his 
native place until attaining his foiirteenlli year, 
lie then worked init on farms until a year after 
reaching his majority, when he determined to come 
to America, and set foot on the soil of the New- 
World in 1872. lie came directly to this county 
and made his home with an uncle living in Hrtli- 
alto, fiom whom he learned the trade of a butcher, 
lie remained in his family until 1877, when he 
went further west, his destination being Iowa, and 
locating near Dubmiue, he attended school for six 
months. lie then spent the following six months 
in Kansas, and at the end of that time returned to 
this state and settled in Alton. 

On coming to this city, our subject was first em- 
ployed by Myers it Hray for a year and a-lialf, 
and in 187il was united in marriage with Miss 
Justiua llartmann, who was born in Alton; she 
W.1S the daughter of IJartel llartmann, an old set- 
tler in this locality. Jlrs. Keyland depar.ted this 
life October 18 of the year succeeding her mar- 
riage. t)nr subject continued in the employ of 
Mr. IJray until March 6, 188t), when he was com- 
pelled to quit work on account of having broken 
his leg, and was conlined to the house until the 
1st of May. lie then went to North Altim an<l 
eng.iged as a butcher on his own account until the 
decease of his wife, when he returned to Alton 
and made his home with his mother-in-law for 
nearly two years. During this time he opened a 
grocery store in i)artnersliip with Frank liudde, 
which connection existed until Christinas, 1881, 
when Mr. Heyland lK)uglit the entire stoi-k of 
goods, and, erecting a new building upon proj>- 
erty which he owned, at a ci>st of #o,0t)0, moved 
into it and has since carried on a pjiying trade in 
this line, lie has a butcher shop in connection 
with the grocery, where he keeps the choicest 
meats (.>f every variety. 

The second marriage of our subject tK-curred in 
September. 1882, at which time Theresa Schienne, 
a native of Oermanv, became his wife. Mrs. Key- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPFIICAL RECORD. 



437 



land was llie daughter of Tlieo Schiennc, who lo- 
cated in this city in 18G9. where he still makes his 
home. To Mr. and Mrs. Reyland iiave been born 
two children, Peter Theodore and Alphonso M. 
By his first marriage Mr. Reyland became the fa- 
ther of a daughter, Lizzie. They were all members 
of St. Mar3-'s Catholic Church, and in politics our 
subject is independent. lie has served as Alder- 
man of the Fifth Ward, to which position he was 
elected in 18S7, and is very iiopular in the city. 
lie is one <>( the leading merchants of the place, and 
occupies with his family a fine home on Henr^-and 
Ninth Streets. Besides his store, he is the owner 
of a stone quarry on Fourteenth and Eastern 
Streets, which he operates and gives employment 
to eight men. 

■ 0# P ' . 



\|.'OHN M. McKEE. This prominent resident 
of Alton deserves representation in this 
volume for the honorable part which he 
bore in the late war, if for no other reason. 
He was born August 22, 1833, in Columbiana 
County, Ohio, and is the son of James and Jane 
(Moore) McKee, the former of whom was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1777. He 
fought as a soldier in the War of 1812, under the 
command of Gen. "W. H. Harrison. The father de- 
parted this life in Perry County, this state, in 1861. 
He was a true-blue Republican in politics and a 
devoted member of the Presbyterian Church. His 
father, Andrew McKee, was a native of Westmore- 
land County, Pa., of Scotch ancestr}-. while the 
great-grandfather of our subject was born in Ire- 
land, whence lie afterward lemoved to Scotland. 
James McKee was a cooper by trade, which busi- 
ness he followed during the greater part of his 
life. Ilis good wife was bom and reared in the 
Buckeye State, while her parents were natives of 
Westmoreland County, Pa. She was born in 1787 
and de])arted this life in 1861, after having be- 
come the mother of ten c:hildren: Mary, Andrew, 
Harrison, Sarah, William. Elizabeth, Jane, Nancy, 
James and John. All are deceased with the excep- 



tion of our subject and his sister Elizabeth, now 
the wife of John Ritchie, of Oakland, Cal. 

The original of this sketch remained under the 
parental roof until attaining his majority, in the 
meantime attending the district school until a lad 
of seventeen. He then learned the cooper's trade, 
under the instruction of his father, hut on starting 
out in life for himself some years later engaged in 
farm pursuits in Perry County, this state, to which 
place his parents had removed. He continued 
farming in that locality for about eight years, when, 
the Civil War being in progress, he enlisted as a 
Union soldier, being mustered into service at Camp 
Butler January 5th of that \-car as a member of 
Company F, Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry. With 
his regiment he went to the front, arriving soon 
after at Duvall's Bluff, where the first engagement 
took place. His regiment formed a part of the 
Seventh Division, Seventh Army Corps, South- 
west Department, under the command of Gen- 
eral Steele. Their next engagement was at Browns- 
ville, after which they marched through the swamps 
in Arkansas, a distance of sixty-five miles, to the 
Arkansas River. They were stationed at Pine 
Bluff for a time, guarding the roads and fighting 
the guerrillas. The hard battle which followed 
was at Monticello against General Krump, after 
which the company was sen ton various long expe- 
ditions, sometimes on the borders of Texas, then 
into Louisiana. 

Mr. McKee was mustered out at Pine Bluff in 
November, 1865, whence he with his company was 
sent to Camp Butler, and there received his honor- 
able discharge. His regiment entered the service 
with one thousand three hundred and three men, 
only four hundred of whom returned to their 
homes. Our subject spent the following winter with 
his parents in DuQuoin, when he came to Alton in 
the spring and worked at his trade until about ten 
years ago. 

John M. McKee and Miss Rachel Guy were 
united in marriage in Gallia County, Ohio, Janu- 
ary 5, 1855. Mrs. McKee is the daughter of 
Thomas and Elizabeth (Lyons) Guy, natives of 
Ohio. B}' her union with our subject there have 
been born the following-named children; Cassius 
J.; John T., deceased; Francis S., a printer in St, 



438 



PDKTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL RICCORD. 



Louis; Lillie IV, tlie wife of Frank Yodpr, of this 
city; and Miiinip,!il iioine willi Iut pari'iils. 

Mr. and Mrs. McKeeare members in fjood stand- 
ing of tlie Ciimlx'rland I'resbylcrian Cliureii, in 
whicli tliey take an active part. Tlie former in 
politics is a Rcinibliean, and socially belongs to 
Grand Army Post No. 411 in this city, lie had 
three brothers who fought as Union soldiers. An- 
drew and William enlisted from Ohio and served 
as a member of tlic eastern army, while .lames w.as 
with our subject. 




ATTIIEW R. EARLY, a [irogressive farmer 
of New Douglas Township, makes his 
hiimeon his well appointed farm, whicli is 
located on section 19. lie owns a i)rop- 
erty of two huiidrod and forty acres, a portion of 
which is on .section I'J, New Douglas Township, 
and the remainder on section i;^, Olive Township. 

M. R. Early is a native of Indiana, iiaving been 
born in Wasiiington County, April 2(1, I.SIH. His 
father, .loiiii Ivuly, was a native of Monroe Coun- 
ty, \'a., bojii in 17H8. lie in tiiiii was a son of 
Daniel Earl}', a native of the same stale and coun- 
ty. The origin of the name is said to have been 
thus: A child was found at the door of a Virginia 
household, and the head of llic family arising at a 
ver}' early hour found the lilUe one. to whom he 
gave the surname of Early. This was [irobably 
the father of Daniel Early. The mother of our 
subject, whose maiden name was Pliicbe Allison, 
was a daughter of William Allison. Her mother's 
maiden name was Robertson. Plncbe Early was 
born in Monroe County, \'a., in 17'J'I, and was 
there married in 1810. 

Our subject is one of seven children, six of 
whom were sons, he being the fourth in order of 
birth. Four of the sons are still living, the eldest 
being now^ eighty-two years of age. Our subject's 
childho(>d was spent in his native county, where 
he attended the subscription schools. These schools 
were kept very irregularly, and children attended 
when very 3'oung, and also at a very late age. | 



Matthew Early indeed was a student in the neigh- 
boring schools after attaining his twenty-sixth 
year. After reaching his majority', he started 
forth to make his own livelihood, and split rails for 
thirty-one and a-fonrtli cents per hundred. In 
those limes money was estimated by shillings and 
jience, and dimes were not heard of until late in 
.lackson's administralion. From his twenty-first 
until his thirty-Rrst j'car, Matthew Karl}' made his 
home with his father, working for him and for the 
neighbors. 

In the ffill of 1849, leaving the old home, our 
subject came to Illinois, settling in Clay County, 
where he remained for four years. During this 
time he was married, on .lune 9, 1850, to Miss Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Jesse and Zelpha (Lewis) Sur- 
rels, natives of Indiana. Mrs. Early was born in 
Clay County .luiie 3, 1832. 

On M.ay 9, 18.54, Mr. Early came from Clay 
County to this county, settling in New Douglas 
Township on section .'i(». He located in the 
"prairie grass," as he exjjresses it, and here he be- 
gan life on a forty-acre tract of land wliicli lie pur- 
ch.ased. Four years later liesold that place, Imyiiig 
the farm on which his present residence stands, and 
which has been his home ever since. To his orig- 
inal piircliase he has added until his farm has 
reached its present proportions. In LSdTj he erected 
a line two-story brick house, ami has suitable barns 
and outbuildings u|)ou his (ilace. 

To our worthy subject and his wife were b<nn 
ninecliildren: .loliii A., Mary E., .James W., William 
P., Angeline, lloiny ('., .lennie L., Odieaiul Dollie. 
John A. married I'jiima Juslie, and died June 12, 
1894, leaving a wife and two children; M.-iry E. 
and the four younger children are at home with 
their father; James, who.se histoiy appears elsewhere 
in this work, resides on a farm near his father; 
William P., also represented elsewhere, is a jiractic- 
ing attorney at Edwardsville; Angeline is the wife 
of John Henry, of Alton Junction. Mrs. Early de- 
parted this life June 9, 1876, and was interred in 
Aincent Cemetery, in Olive Township. 

Although once elected Justice of lln^ Peace, 
Mr. I'^arly never tried a case, instead sending 
them to neighlioiing .Justices of the Peace. He 
has persistently refused ollice. In the earl}' days 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



439 



lie was a Whig and Abolitionist, and is now a loyal 
Republican. In a social way ho is a member of 
the Alasonic order, and is a man who numbers 
many warm friends in the community. 



<x+++*********^t±±***±+±±±*:x> 



lOBERT F. LlVfiSEY, who is at present re- 
ir siding in New Douglas, is a native of Clin- 
V ton County, this stale, having been born 
'^pnear Trenton, .January 19, 1857. He is 
the son of Ellis and Charlotte (Ilaram) Livcsey, 
both natives of Yorkshire, England, the former 
born August 31, 1833, the latter October 31, 1833. 
Their marriage occurred September 14, 1854. 

The parents of our subject emigrated to America 
with tiieir relatives while children, and in 1844 
Grandfather Livesey located in M.assachusetts. 
Here he remained but a few years and then re- 
moved to Clinton Count}', this state, where Ellis 
was reared to manhood. The llaram family set- 
tled first near Belleville, III., and later became res- 
idents of the above county, where the marriage of 
our subject's parents took (ilace. 

Robert F. is the eldest in the famil}' of eigiit 
sons and three daughters, seven of whom survive. 
His school days began in Clinton Count}', but as 
his parents moved to the vicinity of New Douglas 
while he was in his eighth 3'ear, the most of his 
education was received in this place. During the 
winter of 1873-74 our subject was a student in 
McKendree College, of Lebanon. 

After leaving college our subject entered a store 
in New Douglas as a salesman, which position he 
filled (luring the summer months for three years, 
when he .accepted a similar position in the large 
dry-goods establishment of G. B. Crane, of Ed- 
wardsville. He remained there the greater part of 
the year, and then returning to this /)Lacc began 
clerking for M. A. Cline. In the spring of 1877 
he purchased a farm in Bond County, upon which 
he renu)ved and began the work of its cultivation. 
After a stay of five years in the country he found 
fanning to be too hard for him, and disposing of 



his estate, purchased a drug store in New Douglas, 
and at the same time studied pharmacy under the 
instruction of J. W. Lord. He carried on busi- 
ness for himself for a period of nine years, when he 
sold out and took charge of the clothing depart- 
ment of the store belonging to his former employer, 
G. B. Crane. He continued to transact the busi- 
ness of his department even after tlie store was 
transferred to the Edwardsville Dry Goods Com- 
pany, and remained with the firm until March, 
1894, when he returned to this place, and purchas- 
ing his former old stand, again settled down to car- 
rying on business for himself. 

May 23, 1876, Robert F. Livesey was married 
to Miss Emma J., adopted daughter of John J. and 
Alice E. (Watson) Valentine, residents of this 
place. Mrs. Livesey's parents died when she was 
quite young and she h.as known no other father or 
mother than Mr. and Mrs. Valentine. She was 
born May 10, 1859, in Troy, this countj', and 
by her union with our subject has become the 
mother of two children, Leroy V., born July 19, 
1877, and Robert E., January 8, 1889. Both 
our subject and his wife are members in good 
standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 
politics the former is a pronounced Republican, 
with which part}- he has voted since reaching his 
m.ajority. He has held the position of Justice of 
the Peace and was Town Clerk for some time. He 
is now serving his third commission as Notary 
Public. 



+= 



ZHJH 




RANKLIN W. OLIN, a well known citi- 
zen of Alton, is President of the Equitable 
Powder Manufacturing Company, which 
was established here in Februar}', 1893. It is an 
important industry, and one of which the city 
ought to be proud. Notwithstanding the hard 
times, the company is .assured of a prosperous fu- 
ture and is rapidly making its way. 

Franklin W. Olin is a native of Vermont, born 
in Woodford, Bennington County, .Ianuar>' 9, 1860. 
llis parents were Trumar and Sarah Ann (Noyes) 
Olin. The former and his .'ather, Childs Olin, were 



J40 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD 



also natives of Vrrmont, tliou^h tlio family is of 
Welsh aiiceslry. 'riiiman Oliii wa^ a inillwriijlit 
and also engaged in tlie lumln'r business. He is 
now livini;; near Troy, N. Y. llis wife, a native of 
Vermont, wastlie daughter of a shi)) huiUicr. Tru- 
man and Sarali Olin were the parents of tlic follow- 
ing chil<lr('n: Mary; Martha, wife of Amos Merrill, 
of Warren, N. II.; Fannie L.; Klla U., who married 
Kdwin T. Carnoll, of .South Cambridge, N. Y.; 
Kranklin, an<I Harry C, who aceidenlally shot 
himself when nineteen year§ of sge. 

The subject of this narrative secured his pre- 
liminary education in the district schools of the 
(ireen Mountain State, and entered Cornell Uni- 
versity, of Ithaca, N. Y.,in 1881, graduating there- 
fiom in (he year 1880. It was through his own 
individual exertions that he carried himself through 
college, as he received no outside aid. .Moreover, 
while attending college, he learned and worked at 
mechanical engineering, and after leaving school 
he devoted himself to the construclitm and erec- 
tion of powder (jlants, and has been engaged in 
that business ever since. Kor the last ten years 
he has constructed all the plants, except one, of 
this description that have been built since he went 
into the business. He has intri)duced many new 
features in the manufacture of powder, which great- 
ly reduces the cost. In his factory- at Alton he has 
many ingenious devices not in use elsewhere. 
Thoroughly versed in his business, he is constantly 
looking for new ideas and improvements. Mr. 
Olin is a well educated gentleman, and pos.sesses 
social qualities. In politics our subject is a He- 
publican. 

Mr. Olin was married in Toledo, Ohio, May 28, 
1889, to Mary M. Motilton. Her parents are John 
H. and Mary E. (Scott) Moulton, the former a na- 
tive of Maine, an<l the latter of (Jhio. Mr. Moulton 
is deceased, but his wife is still living. Mrs. Olin 
was born in the liuckeye State, and by her mar- 
riage has become the mother of two children, 
Franklin T. and ICdwin Moulton. 

The Kipiitable Powder Manufacturing Company 
w!w f)rgani/.ed b}' F. W. Olin, who has been the 
leading spirit of the enterprise. The company is 
ehaitered, having been incorporated under the 
laws of New .ler--ey. and the ollicers being, F. W. 



Olin, President and Treasurer; A. W. McMurray, 
Vice-Presi<lent; and .1. J. Nef, Secretary. The 
plant is located aliout four miles from Alton, 
where they have ample grounds for the business. 
All the stock, boiler and engine houses are con- 
structed of brick, aiul all inodern improvements 
known in the manufacture of powder are here to 
be found. The mnchinery for this f.actory was 
made at Mr. t)lin's works at Troj-, N. Y., where 
are made all kinds of machinery used in the man- 
ufacliirc of pfywder. They now have a contr.act 
for piiltiiig ill a plant near Harrisburg, Pa. 

The v.-irioiis mills of Mr. Olin'scompany are op- 
erated from one common center [)ower hoii.se, having 
a three hundred and twenty-live horse-power en- 
gine. There are forty-eight hundred feet of shaft- 
ing, and have twenty thousjiiid pounds' capacity 
daily. The plant was located at Alton with the view 
of having acentral coal district, embracing Illinois, 
Indiana, Ohio, Mi.ssouri and Kentucky, and also 
Colorado, Kansas, Arkansas and other western 
states. About forty men are cm|)loycd on an 
average, all necessarily well skilled in the business. 
Many of these are old and experienced men, who 
are gradually training in new hands. The com- 
pany is preparing to make its own charcoal, burn- 
ing the same on its own extensive lands. 



■ -^-Vv^M^TM^ 



m ^ t^l^t^ • 



^■>?^^ICHOLAS CHALLACOMBE, formerly a 
/ prominent agriculturist of this county, is 

^^ now living retire(l from the active business 

of life. He was born in Devonsjiire, England, 
August l.'V lf^21,and is the .son of Thomas and 
.lane (Challacombe) Challacoinbe, who were also 
born in the above shire. 

The father of our subject was a farmer by oc- 
cupation in the Old Country and followed that 
calling after coming to America in 1811. lie made 
his lirst home in the vicinity of Scottsville. this 
state, and managed alT.iirs in such a manner as to 
become well-to-do. He was married in his native 
land and became the father of seven children, 
namely: William, Nicholas, Mar)-, l-'.liza, Peter, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHTCAL RECORD. 



441 



Sarah and Thomas. Our subject and Eliza, now the 
wife of James Drew, are the only members of the 
family wlio survive. Mrs. Jane Challacombe de- 
parted this life when Nicholas was a lad of nine 
years. The father was married a second time, his 
union with Miss Mar^' Willis resulting in the birth 
of five children: Aaron, now deceased; Daniel, 
Fred, Henry and one who died unnamed. Thomas 
Ciiallacombe passed the remaining years of his life 
in Montgomery County, whither he had removed 
from Scottsville. 

After the decease of his motlier our subject 
m.ade his home with an uncle, with whom he emi- 
grated to the United States in 1838. They landed 
in Now York City and made their home there for 
the following two years, when the westward jour- 
ney w.as commenced, their destination being Apple 
Creek Township, Macoupin County. Nicholas be- 
gan to make his own way in the world after attain- 
ing his thirteenth year by working out at whatever 
he could find to do. At one time he was engaged 
in a castor oil mill in Alton, going to work at 
twelve o'clock at night and being employed six- 
teen hours a day; he received for his services the 
munificent sum of 113 per month and boarded 
himself in the winter of 1845-46. He soon tired of 
this, however, and his next employment was in the 
draying business, for which he received the same 
wages together with his board and better hours. 
In a few years he had saved a sufficient sum of 
money to buy a draying outfit and engage in 
business for himself. lie succeeded so well in that 
cnteri)rise that in a short time he had control of 
nearly all the transfer business in Alton, owning 
and running as many as five wagons. 

It was Mr. Challacombe's object and aim to be 
the possessor of a fine farm, and as soon as able he 
purchased eighty acres, which he planted mostly 
in fruits. lie was thus emploj'ed for many years, 
but finally the trees stopped bearing and for the 
last few years prior to retiring he gave his atten- 
tion to general agriculture. He now rents his fine 
estate and is resting and enjoying life after a long 
and busy career. 

Nicholas Challacombe w.as married in 18.51 to 
Miss Mary, daughter of James and Jane (Powell) 
Fletcher, natives of Kentuck}-. Mrs. Challacombe 



was born in this county, and b}' her union with our 
subject has become the mother of four children: 
Jane, living at home; James, who makes his home 
in Palmyra, this slate; Rose, the wife of Austin 
Darrow, and F^tta, now Mrs. Robert Smith. 

Our subject is a whole-souled Republican in poli- 
tics, working and voting for that party. He never 
aspires to ollice-holding, but as a true American 
citizen should do, takes a deep intjerest in national 
and local affairs and is ever ready to contribute his 
share in all matters tending toward the upluiilding 
of his community. 



"SI 



I^HJH^ 



fc=i 



'^ OHN M. KFILLEY, who is engaged in farm- 
ing in New Douglas Township, resides on 
section 8. He is a son of John Kelley, his 
birth having occurred in Jersey County, III., 
November 30, 1855. He was a little boy when his 
parents removed to Madison County, and his edu- 
cation was obtained in the schools of the district 
where he still continues to reside. 

The early years of our subject passed quietly 
under the parental roof, and to his father he gave 
his assistance in carrying on the homestead until 
after his majority. When about thirty years of 
age he began farming for himself on a part of his 
father's propert}', where he built a cottage about a 
quarter of a mile distant from the old home. 

On June 24, 1890, Jolin M. Kelley and Miss 
Catherine Manion were united in marriage. They 
have one child, a daughter, Mary. Mrs. Kellej- is 
a daughter of William and Bridget (Cannon) Man- 
ion. She was born in Dennis, III., October 4, 1870. 
and is one of eleven children, she being the second 
in order of birth. The parents were natives of 
Ireland, the father born in County Mayo, Decem- 
ber 1, 1840, while the mother was born June 12, 
1847, in County Latram. Mr. Manion emigrated 
from the Emerald Isle about 18C1, and in Carlin- 
ville, III., met and married Bridget Cannon, who 
with her brother F'elix h.ad sailed from Liver|iool 
in 1H()4. They arrived safely in New York after 
a voyage of twenty-seven days, and came direct to 



442 



POnrRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



C'arliiivillo, to tlie lionie of nn uiu'le who li.-id pro- 
coded tlioin. Tlie maiiiagc of Mr. and Mi>>. Man- 
ion took placo June 2(i. ISCK, and afterward they 
removed to Venioo, later coming to New Douglas, 
where lliev made their home for nineteen years, 
lu lS;t2 the family removed to St. Louis, where 
Ihey now reside. 

For three yeai-s Mr. Kelley has held the ollice of 
Si'hool Director \.)f his district, .and also held Ih.at 
position when living at his old home, which is in 
another district. For some three years he has been 
Trustee of the Church of Now Dougl.as. Both he 
and his estimable wife are membei-s of the Catholic 
Church. In politics our subject is a Democrat, 
giving to his party his ardent support, lie is well 
and favoi-ably known in the neighborhood of his 
home, and is a thrifty and enterprising young 
man. 



G: 



-^"^ 



^ 



l?^lliS*^" 



^ 



^py KKDERICK FRKHICllS is the possessor of 
i|— ^ a finely improved farm in Fosterburgh 
^\ Township, which he cleared from its prim- 

itive growth of trees and brush and developed 
into a model estate, lie w.as born in Fast Fries- 
lan<l, Oermany, Decemlwr 7, 183(), and is the son 
of Richard F. and Anna (Hruns) Frcriehs, and the 
gnindson of Filert and Foske Frericlis. 

The grandfather of our subject w.as also liorn in 
the aliove place in Germany, where he owned a 
large tract of land and spent his entire life. lie 
reared a family of five children, of whom Richard 
F. was the eldest in order of birth. The latter re- 
ceived his education in the common schools, and 
when reaching mature years purchased a tract of 
land wliicli he cultivated in such a manner as to 
soon make him independent in a moneyed way. His 
brothers and sister all died in the Fatherland 
and lH>re the respective names of Frederick, 
Wubke, .lohn and Folste. 

Richard F. Frericlis w.as the only member of his 
parents" family to emigrate to America, the trip 
l)cing made in 1857. lie was the father of five 
sons ancl two dau^litors, of wlu>m tlio two elder 



sons crossed the Atlantic in 18,52 and located in 
Madison County, lie joined them here and for 
the first few yeare rented land, lie smm, how- 
ever, was prosperous enough io own his own farm 
and lived in this county until his decease, March 
8, 1871, at the age of seventy-sis yeai-s. His wife 
survived him until 188(), when she too passed 
away. They were both members of the Lutheran 
Church and people greatly resjiected in their com- 
munity-. 

The brolhoi-s and sisters of our subject were Fi- 
lert. John, Thomas, Richard; Ftta, Mrs. Henry 
Fcclit; AVubke, the wife of George Johnston; and 
Tliada, Mrs. (ieorge llahnkamp. The original of 
this sketch received his education in the model 
schools of his native land, and when a lad of thir- 
teen began to make his own way by working out 
on farms, one of his employers being Count Vt>n 
Wedel. He then thought to try his fortunes on 
the sea, and embarking .as a sailor, spent four years 
on the water, during which time he visited the 
East Indies and most all of the ports of the Old 
World. 

In 1858 Mr. Frerichs embarked on a vessel 
bound for America and landed in New York in 
the fall. He came directly to this county, and on 
arriving here found that his worldly piissessions in 
mone^' were summed up in ^19. He had no ditli- 
culty to obtain work, and continued to be cm- 
ployed as a farm hand for two years. At the ex- 
piration of that time he was married to Miss Mcta, 
daughter of Walter and Meta Johnson. Mrs. Fre- 
riclis w.as born near his old home in (Jermany and 
came to America with her parents in 1857. 

After his marriage our subject leased his present 
farm for live years, but before the lw»se had ex- 
pired had purchased eighty acres of it, u|X)n which 
he h.as pl.aced good buildings, a sul)stanlial resi- 
dence and all the necessary farm machinery. 

To Mr. and Mi's. Frerichs were born four sons 
and three daughters, one of whom died in infancy. 
Those living are, Richard, George, William, Fred- 
erick, Anna, and Reka, the wife of Petor Ilerzog. 
Meta was the wife of Luther Calvin and died 
leaving a daughter, Lucy Meta, wlu) makes her 
home with her gi-andparents. The children have 
all U'cn <;ivcii fin'.^ educations, the two elder sons 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



443 



being gradiiatt-s of Sliiirtleff College, anrl Fved- 

crick is tejic-liiiiii .school ;il the present lime. 

liolii Mr. and Mrs. Frerielis are members of llie 
l.iitlieran Cimrcli. In politics the ff)rnier is non- 
[)artisan. He has always been |iarticular!y active 
in school affairs, iiaving served as a member of the 
P.oard for fifteen years. Mr. Frericlis and his sons 
liave operated a threshing machine through the 
county for the past twelve years, and have just 
purchased a new ouHil, which will (mable them to 
do a greater amount and more satisfactory work 
in the future. 



m ' ^ <^ <^ ^ ■fa^ 




t UGITST PIRRRON, residing in the village 
^Yu\< named in honor of his father, was born 
near P.elleville, 111., February 22, 1848. 
His father, .laecjues, was born in Voueourt 
village, I^orraine, France, March 14, 1804, and 
worked f)n the home farm until attaining his ma- 
jority-, after which he learned the wagon-maker's 
trade. Kmbarking at Bordeaux, he landed on 
American soil at Baltimore, Md., in 1832, going 
thence tf) Pittsburg. Thence he descended the 
Ohio in a skiff with a friend as far as Cincinnati. 

Unable to secure employment at his trade, Jac- 
ques Pierron liegan to work on the Dayton Canal. 
Later lie went to Louisville, and thence to St. 
Louis, where he found work at his trade with the 
Murphy Wagon Company. In 1833 he went to 
New Orleans, where he was employed by the Cot- 
ton Press Company for four years, receiving 180 
per month. In 1838 he opened a shop of his own 
and worked at his trade about seven years. The 
year 1844 witnessed his removal to Illinois and 
Ins settlement near Belleville. Having a small 
surplus after purchasing his farm near that city, he 
liought hind warrants from Mexican soldiers, and 
entered land in Madison County. Hither he re- 
moved in 1851, settling on section 24, Saline 
Township. 

A man of generous disposition, Jacques Pierron 
deeded to each of his children one hundred and 
sixteen acres of land. When the \'audalia liail- 



road came through, he donated twenty acres and 
^1,000 in cash, and tlu; town located on the coun- 
ty line was named in his honor. His death occurred 
October 11, 1886. He was twice married. In 1837 
he married Miss Anna J. Moreville, of New Or- 
leans, who died in IS.jO. Seven children resulted 
from this union, but onl}' two survive, our sub- 
ject and Mrs. Theresa Pacette. In 18,53 Mr. Pier- 
ron visited his old home in France, and while 
there the following year married Mar}- Rose Pac- 
ette, of Lorraine Province. Of their four children 
two survive, Augusta, wife of A. Froussard, of 
Bond County', and Mary, who married Lorenz 
O ruen en f elder, of Madison County. 

The school days of our subject were spent in 
Madison Count3-, whither the family moved when 
he was about five years of age. Attending the 
country schools untd his seventeenth year, he was 
then sent to Stern's College, Oaklield, Mo., where 
he remained three months. Later he spent three 
months at Bryant ik .Stratton's Commercial Col- 
lege of St. Louis, where he still holds a meniber- 
shii). Remaining at home until about twent^-- 
three years old, he then, in company with Jules 
Jacques, opened the first store in Pierron. The 
partnership was soon dissolved, and our subject 
then entered into iiartnership with his brother-in- 
lavv, J. David Rinderer, with whom he continued 
for five years. 

After dissolving the partnership, our subject con- 
ducted the business alone for four years, but in 
1870 was obliged to discontinue on account of ill- 
health. While engaged in the mercantile business, 
he also served as Postmaster for eleven years, and 
was express, ticket and freight agent for the \'an- 
dalia Radroad. After closing out his general 
store he engaged for about four years in handling 
farm implements, and since that time has been in- 
terested in the dairy business and in farming, be- 
sides engaging to some extent in the insurance and 
real-estate business. He sliips large quantities of 
milk to St. Louis, the shipments averaging fifty 
gallons per day. 

October 27, 1870, Mr. I'ierron married Miss Bar- 
baia, daughter of David Rinderer, a native f>f 
Switzerland. Mrs. Pierron w.as born in St. Clair 
County, 111., June 16, 1850, and died April 30, 



Ill 



IMIRTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



I^,s;|. I'll ilicni wi'iv liDin nine cliilflren.of wliom 
Leo A., Riciiiinl .1. and C'otili:i M. .ire deceased. 
Those who survive are, Ida A. IC, Rosa L., Ilany 
I). A., Annie ()., Florence M. and (Jliver A. The 
religious home of tlie family is in the Catholic 
Church. 

Throughout his entire life Mr. Pierron has up- 
hehl Democratic principles, and although living in 
a Ucpulilican townshiji, he is usu.illy elected wheu 
his name is presented as a candidate for local ollice. 
For several terms lie held the ollice of Town Clerk, 
also served as Collector for live years, and filled 
the position of School Director a number of terms. 
He has olliciatcd .as Trustee of the church, and was 
instrumental in securing the erection of the beau- 
tiful new edifice at Pierron. 



^^UO^IA^ IIARRI.SON PERRIN was born in 
m^\ Alton in the year 1844. His parents, Ilar- 
V^^' rison and Isabella Perrin. were natives of 
Kngland and were among the pioneers of Alton. 
having located here in 183-2. The father was en- 
gaged for many years in the transfer business, and 
for thirty yeai-s was a prominent factor in this 
city's welfare. His death occurred in 18G2, and 
his wife, who survived him many years, died in 
188(i, at the age of eighty-six years. 

At the age of eleven years T. II. Perrin entered 
the ollice of the Alton Gntrier, publisiied by 
George T. lirown, and served an apprenticeship of 
seven yeai-s, working in various departments of 
that large ollice. .\t the first call for troops by 
the President Mr. I'errin ran away from home, as 
he was quite young, and enlisted in Company I 
of the Kourlli Regiment Missouri Volunteers. On 
the completion of his four months' term of enlist- 
ment he returned home to care for his widowed 
mother and to finish his apprenticeship. 

As a printer and publisher .Mr. Perrin has made 
a record of which his friends may justly be proud. 
When a journeyman printer he worked in theoflUces 
of the Courii'r. the Teliyroiili and DemiH-rat. His first 



venture in journalism was the purchase of the West- 
ern Cumberland Presbyterian, a weekly religious 
paper. This sheet, formerly edited b^- Rev. .1. 15. Lo- 
gan, was published by our subject for many years in 
connection with running a large job printing estab- 
lishment. Afterward he sold out to the Hoard 
of Publication of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Cliurcli, when the paper was removed to Kashville, 
Tenii. Though elected to the position of Superin- 
tendent of the printing department of this l)oard, 
he declined the position, i)refcrriug to remain in 
his native city. 

In connection with Dr. Logan, Mr. Perrin next 
undertook the i)ublication of a monthi}- religious 
paper. Our Faith, in the interest of the Cumber- 
land Presbyterian Church. This was later merged 
into the .St. Louis Observer, a. weekly paper publisiied 
for many years bj* the firm of Perrin & Smith. It 
was in 1875 that our subject formed a partnership 
with E. A. Smith in a general printing business, 
which firm a year later purchased the Alton Dem- 
oci'at. For over ten years this paper was pulilished 
by this firm, it becoming a power throughout 
Madison and adjoining counties. During the first 
administration of President Cleveland, while serv- 
ing as Postm.aster of Alton, Mr. Perrin conceived 
the idea of consolidating the Alton Democrat ami 
the Madison County Sentinel. This scheme was car- 
ried out and the Sentinel-Democrat Printing Com- 
pany was organized, with Mr. Perrin Secretary and 
Treasurer. This paper has grown to be one of the 
most inlluenlial ones in southern Illinois. 

In addition to his business interests at Alton, 
our subject has found time to aid in the establish- 
ment of the large publishing house of Perrin iV 
Smith, ill St. Louis, of which he is the senior part- 
ner. There the American Journal of Education is 
published, and to this Mr. Perrin gives his personal 
attention. He is an active and zealous meml>erof 
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, devoting 
much of his time and means to the cause. In the 
Sund.iy-school he is a prominent worker and a mem- 
ber of the Kxeciitive Committee of the Illinois State 
Sunday-school Associatiiui. A? President of the 
Madison County Sunday-school Association he has 
often served. At present he is a member of the Hoanl 
of Missions and Church Lrection; Chairman of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL Rp:CORD. 



445 



the Illinois State Sunday-scliool Association and a 
member of the Cliurcli Extension Association. 
Recently Mr. Penin was elected as Moderator of 
tiie Illinois Synod of his church, the first layman 
ever chosen to this high and responsible position. 
As a friend of education he is now serving his 
second term on the Board of Education at Alton, 
being recently elected President of the same. For 
over ten 3'ears he has been one of the Trustees of 
Lincoln University, of Lincoln, 111., and in all 
good works is indefatigable. 



^^l 



ll@'^@ll 



Ie^^ 



ETER METTLER. Many residents of Madi- 
son County are natives of Switzerland, who, 
leaving the smaller republic and crossing 
tiie ocean, liave identified themselves with 
the larger republic of the United States. Such an 
one is the successful agriculturist of Saline 
Townsliii). with whose name this sketch is intro- 
duced. He is the owner of one hundred and 
thirty-three acres, upon whieli he engages in rais- 
ing cereals, and whicli is embellished with all the 
improvements of a first-class estate. 

Mr. Meltlcr was born in Switzerland April 17, 
1!S'20, and when a mere infant was thrown upon 
the charity of the world, owing to the death of his 
parents, AVilliain and Barbara (Exley) Mettler. 
The only other member of tlie family was a brother, 
Minrod, whose entire life was spent in the Old 
Country. Peter was reared by strangers, and 
when about nine ^ears old, was hired out to work 
upon a farm. In boyhood he had no educational 
advantages, his youth being one of toil and pri- 
vation. For six years he was a soldier in the 
Swi.ss army, which he later joined a second time, 
serving for four years. lie was in the army at the 
time of one of the revolutions. 

The prospects for advancement in his own coun- 
try not being very flattering. Mr. Mettler deter- 
mined to come to America. Accordingly, at the 
age of Uiirty-two, he set sail for this countr}, hav- 
ing only enough money to pay his passage. 



Thirty-three days were spent on the ocean, and 
while the ship was crossing the Gulf of Mexico, 
our subject saw a large rock in the gulf, and at 
once gave the alarm. His timely warning saved 
the boat from being wrecked. After landing at 
New Orleans he journeyed by steamboat up the 
Mississippi to St. Louis, and from that city pro- 
ceeded to Highland, 111. Arriving in Madison 
County, he commenced life in earnest. For a 
time he worked by the day at any occupation he 
could find, being employed jjrincipally on farms 
and in digging wells. 

One year after coming to Madison Count}', Mr. 
Mettler was united in marriage, in 1853. with Miss 
Ann, daughter of Casper and Ann (Mahler) 
Dober, all natives of Switzerland. Two children 
have been born of this union: Catherine, who 
married Adam Spangle, and has two children, 
Louis and j;mma; and Clement, whose two chil- 
dren are named Carl P. and Clement, Jr. With 
his family, our subject holds membership in the 
Highland Catholic Church. While not active in 
politics, he never fails to cast hi.s ballot in the in- 
terests of the Republican party, the principles of 
which he loyally advocates. 

For eight years Mi-. Mettler tilled the soil of a 
rented farm, and, saving his earnings, was enabled 
at the expiration of that time to purchase one 
hundred and forty acres in Marine Township. 
There he conducted farming operations some 
years, removing thence to Highland and giving 
his attention to the cultivation of a small farm. 
The farm on which he now resides was purchased 
by him about 1884, but he did not locate on it 
until 1894. As the result of perseverance he has 
gained a solid footing financially-, and is recog- 
nized as one of the industrious farmers of the 
township. 



^^^ 




Township. Here he owns a good farm .compris- 
ing eighty acres and to it he is devoting the ex- 
perience and wisdom acquired in past years, as he 



446 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPinCAL RECORD. 



served a good n|)pi'CDliccslii|i in llic business in 
his Ixiyliood. 

Wesley A. Bilyeii, the fallierof oui' subject, is a 
native of Kenlucii}', where he was born in 1812. 
His f:iliier, .loseph. was of French origin and at a 
very early daj', when Illinois was yet a terri- 
tory, bei-anie a resident of IJond County. Owing to 
Indian troubles he was con)iielled to abandon his 
farm and llee lo a block house near Iliglilan(i. 
After a time he returned lo Ken tuck 3', but when 
safety was assured he once more brought his family 
to Illinois and passed the remainder of his life in 
Bond Count}'. By the side of his wife his remains re- 
pose ill thecemetry at Pocahontas. He was married 
lo Nancy Berge. Wesley A. Bilyeu married Cathe- 
rine, (laughter of Henry and Mary (Hagler) File, 
natives of North Carolina, who emigrated lo Indi- 
ana in 1815. There they tarried for three years, 
on the expiration of which time they became resi- 
dents of Bond County. Mr. File sowed a crop and 
built a cabin and continued to make his home 
therein until his death, in 1837. His wife survived 
him for nine years. It was during the sojourn of 
the family in Indiana that Catherine File was 
born, the date being .July 12, 1818. .She became 
the wife of Wesley Bilyeu, May 26, 1836, and of 
their large famil}' of twelve children only George, 
the youngest, survives. 

George K. Bilyeu was born on a farm west of 
Greenville, in Bond Count}-, .June 3, 1858, and his 
childhood was principally spent in New Dougl.as 
Township, to which his mother removed after 
his father's death. His schooling was that af- 
forded by the district schools of the township, 
his education being further supplemented by a 
course of study during one winter in the New 
Douglas schools. When twenty-two years of age 
he became the owner b}' purchase of the forty- 
awe tract of land on section 20. This continued 
to be his home for eight years, but on .lune 10, 
1888, he disposed of the farm, purchasing eight 
days later the eighty-acre farm upon which he now 
lives. He at once built a cott:ige and began the 
labor of improving his estate and has steadily in- 
creased its value by iiieans of its improvements. 

On NovemlKJr IG, 1881, Mr. Bilyeu married Deli- 
lah Olive, a native of Olive Township, Madison 



County, lx)rn May 6, 1863. Her paicnts, .loci H. 
and Maiy K. (^'allsant) Olive, were natives of Ken- 
tucky and Ohio, respectively, their births occur- 
ring the former on May 20, 1825, and the latter 
March 8, 1830. To our subject and his wife have 
been Iwrn six children, namely: Waller C, William 
M., George W., Harvey W., Mary C, and Tobias 
O. The ]>aieiits are members of the Christian 
Church of New Douglas. Since IhhO .Mr. Bilyeu 
has been a Director of the schools of his district. 
Since coming of age he has supported the meas- 
ures of the Democratic party. A prominent and 
loved member of his household is his venerable 
mollier, who is a devoted member (jf tlie .Methodist 
Church, lo which she has belonged for over sixty 
years. The family is well known and highly re- 
spected among the residents of this county. 



I+-!-!-* 



— +-}-++ 



■}•+++- 
•{•+*•}•'- 



ijj OBKHT HKHMANN, merchant and Poslmas- 
u ter of Kaufman, is one of the leading citi- 
^ 'V zens of this part of the county. He was ' 
^^ bom in Highland, March 20, 1865, and is a 
son of Henry Hermann, a native^>f Berne, Switzer- 
land, born in 1820. His mother bore the maiden 
name of Susan Leder, and their marriage was cele- 
brated in Highland. Mr. Hermann carried on a dis- 
tillery in connection with Anloine Muellei', and 
afterward opened upcoal mines in Highland. He 
afterward owned the Highland City Mill, which he 
operated successfully until it was destroyed by 
fire. Willi llie business interests of the commu- 
nity he was prominently connected, and wa.s recog- 
nized as a valued citizen. The Democracy found 
in him a stalwart supporter, and he served as Pres- 
ident of the City Council of Highland. His death 
occurred in 1802, and his wife passed away in 
1873. Both were members of the Kvangelical Ke- 
formcd Church. Their family numbered seven 
children, five yet living: Ilermina, Kmil, Henry, 
David and Robert. 

Mr. Hermann acipiircd his education in the pub- 
lic schools of Highland, and in Bryant tV: Strat- 
ton's Business College of St. I^iuis, from which he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



447 



was graduated. He then entered upon his busi- 
ness career in liis father's mill, and was afterward 
employed in tlie Trenton Mills. The j'ear 1885 
witnessed his arrival in Kaufman, where for two 
years he engaged i i business as proprietor of an 
elevator with a capacity of six thousand bushels. 
He also handles coal. In 1887 he embarked in 
general merchandising, which he has carried on 
continuously since, and has built up a good busi- 
ness, his annual sales amounting to ?10,000. 

In 1886 Mr. Hermann was united in marriage 
with Miss Bertha Kaufman, a daughter of Gus 
Kaufman, and their union has been blessed with 
two children: Gustave, born January 26, 1888; 
and Emma, born .June 9, 1890. 

ilr. Hermann exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the Republican partj' and its principles. 
He was elected Collector in 1886, serving for two 
years, and in 1888 was appointed Postmaster of 
Kaufman, which position he still fills, although his 
political views are not in accordance with the pres- 
ent administration. He is a wide-awake and en- 
terprising business man, whose life has been well 
and worthily spent, and all who know him hold 
him in high regard. 




ILLIAM D. ARMSTRONG, member of 
the faculty of Shurtlefif College, was born 
'^Ps in Alton, 111., February 11, 1868, and is tiie 
eldest child of William and Mary E. Armstrong, 
of wliom further mention is made on another 
page. He received his primarj' education in the 
cit)- schools and later entered Shuilleff College, 
where he prosecuted his studies for a time along 
general lines. Subsequently, having developed 
extraordinary musical ability, he devoted his at^ 
tention exclusively to that art. 

Meantime Mr. Armstrong also began the trade 
of organ building, which he pursued for three 
years under the instruction of Joseph Gratian. 
During this time and later he secured private in- 
struction from eminent teachers in St. Louis, Chi- 
cago and elsewhere, among whom may be men- 



tioned the names of Profs. William Gratian, Ben- 
edict Walter, Charles Kunkel, E. R. Kroeger, P. 
G. Anton, Louis Maver, of St. Louis, and Clarence 
Eddy, of Chicago. Ilis first engagement as a 
teacher was in Forest Park Uuiversit3', St. Louis, 
and at the same time he was organist for the Bap- 
tist Church. 

In 1891 Mr. Armstrong accepted the position 
of musical director of Shurtlcff College, and also 
became instructor in the piano department of the 
Western Reserve Militai-}' Academy', of IJi)per 
Alton. These positions he has since held. He is 
also organist of the Church of the Redeemer at 
St. Louis. For the past two years (1892-94) he 
has been a member of the Executive and Program 
Committee of the Illinois Music Teachers' Asso- 
ciation. Among his musical compositions may be 
mentioned the following: Published by Novello 
Ewer A: Co., London, evening service in A, Nunc 
Dimmittis in F. Published by Arthur P. Schmidt, 
Boston, three compositions for piano-forte, pas- 
toral for organ, four arrangements for organ; Star 
of Glory Quartette, for female voices; intermezzo 
for piano and organ. Published by G. Schirmer, 
New York, impromptu a la valse for piano, gon- 
dellied for piano. Published b3^ William E. Ash- 
mall, Philadelphia, fantasie for organ, andante re- 
ligioso for organ.tliree songs for soprano, Jubilate 
in G, Benedictus in F. Published by J. M. Rus- 
sell, Boston, three male quartettes; Awake My Soul 
Quartette, mixed voices. Published by Kunkel 
Bros., St. Louis, Mo., gavotte B flat for piano; 
Forest Scenes, 1. In the Forest. II. Hunting Song, 
for piano; la jota for piano, album of five pieces 
for piano, twelve chromatic studies for piano; 
Fair Poland, piano duett, Gloria in Excelsis Quar- 
tette, and thirteen songs. 

Mr. Armstrong has among his MSS. a mass in 
G, an oratorio, "The Captivity," the First and 
the One Hundred and Forty -second Psalms for 
solo, chorus and orchestra, a rondo for piano 
and orchestra, besides many lesser works for sU-ing 
quartette, piano and violin, piano solos, songs, 
etc. He is a member of the Guild of Church Or- 
ganist* of London, Kngland.and is also connected 
with the Music Teachers' National Association. 

In religious matters Mr. Armstrong is an Epis- 



448 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I'opaliaii ami liolds the oUicial position of vcslry- 
niaii ill his i-imifli. Politically lie is an cnlliusi- 
astii' Uojiiililican, always ready to j;ivc his support 
to the principles for which that jiarty stands. 
Thouij^h yoimy in years, he has j^ained an enviable 
repiitalion in the musical world, and it is safe to 
predict that he will in the near future occupy a 
foremost rank among the einineul musicians of 
the ctuinlrv. 



-^>+<- 




OHKRT GRAHAM, a veteian of the late 
war, IS a resident of Alton. His hirtli oc- 
curred in (ilasgow, Scotland, June "2, 1815, 
'^pjlo Joseph and Agnes (Divine) (irahain, 
the former of whom was born in County Tyrone, 
Ireland, of Scotch parents. Joseph (iraliam emi- 
grated to the United States in 1851, and was 
joined by his family, who came hither the follow- 
ing year, locating in this city. The father was a 
coal miner and engaged in that occupation in this 
country until his death, in 1855, having been shot 
by a miner. 

The parental family included six children: John ; 
Robert; Klizabclh, Mrs. John Diigan: Joseph, Ilir:im 
and Agnes, the wife of Henry Marsden. Mrs. (!ra- 
hani,wlio was also born in Scotland, departed this 
life in 1889. The original of this sketch remained 
at home attending the .schools of Coal Hranch until 
sixteen years of age, when he enlisted in the Union 
army, becoming a member of the Thirteenth 
Regulars and was mustered into Company 15. Not 
being of age, however, his mother compelled him 
to leave the service. This did not discourage him 
in the least, but biding his time, lie again enlisted, 
this time as a member of Company C, Sevent.v- 
sixth Illinois Infantry, and was mustered in 
January, 18G1, at Camp lUitler. His regiment 
was assigned to the Second Brigade, Fourth Divi- 
sion, .Seventeenth Army Corps, under the command 
of (Jeneral McPhersou. 

Our subject's first experience in battle was at 
\'icksl>urg, frc>m which place the regiment went to 
Meridian. The next engagement was at Jackson, 
Miss., where the iMjys in blue lost heavily. Fol- 
lowing this the regiment was sent to ^'icksbnrg 



and Mr. Graham's regiment was ordered to guard 
the river. They were then stationed at Huzzard's 
Roost and afterward stjilioned at the mouth of 
White River, Memiiliis and Dii vall's Bluflf. While 
stationed at Morganzia BL'nd they were sent out 
on an exi)edition to Ft. Hudson and Jackson, La., 
during which time they participated in numerous 
skirmishes. 

From Du vall's lilulT late in December Mr. 
Graham's regiment was sent to Kcnnersvillc, La., 
from there to New Orleans, and later to Ft. 
Barancas, where the^' celebrated Washington's 
birthday. Their next point was Pensacola, from 
which city they marched to Ft. Blakely, after 
which they took |)art in the battle of the Tus- 
cunibia River, where lhe\' captured ovei' two 
hundred of the eni'tny. The regiment w.as then 
marched on to Pollard, where they had an en- 
gagement, again to Ft. Blakely, wheic they ar- 
rived April 2, 18G5, and jiarticipatcd in the siege 
of that fort. At the former place our subject 
w.as wounded in the ear by the explosion of a 
shell and in the left hand by a musket ball. They 
were then ordered to Galveston, Tex., where the}' 
landed July 1, when he w.as transferred to the 
Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry. While in Texas 
.Mr. Graham was for a time atUiclied to the Freed- 
nian's Bureau. He was mustered out at Houston, 
Tex., May 25, 18(56. 

At the close of the war our subject rcinained in 
New Orleans, where he engaged in the show 
business for a time and at the same time worked 
as a painter. He then traded through the south 
until 1869, when he returned to Alton, iiiaking 
this place his permanent home in 1871. Here he 
followed the occupation of a [lainter, which he 
h.as been engaged in more or less since that time. 
For three years he worked in St. Louis, and with 
the exception of that time li.as made Alton his 
home. He is the owner of a store, well stocked 
with all kinds of paints, together with good grades 
of wall paper. 

Mr. Graham was united in marriage in October, 
1871, with Miss Isabelle, daughter of I'hilip 
Thorpe, and by their union have been lK>rn six 
children: Kva K., Agnes M.. Anna B., Robert, 
Mar}' M. ;in<l Id:i M. Mrs. Graliaiii is a niembcr 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



451 



of the Baptist Cliuicli, to which ck'iioiiiiualion 
most of her childien belong. In polities our siib- 
jeet is a straight Kei)iibliean and as a matter of 
course is a member of tlic Grand Army, belonging 
to Post No. til at Alton, of which he has been 
Commander. 

* !, Qp '^ ^ ' •?• ^■^~>t^ - ••• l'«»^ '•'f'J i' 

^^EHIIAKDT TAPIIORN, M. D., an able and 
flj (-— - rising 3'onng physician and sui'ge(/n of Al- 
^^!4! ton, was born in C'arlyle, III., September 
27, 18G4, and is tiie son of John G. and Elizabeth 
(Werner) Taphorn. His father, a native of Old- 
cnl)urg, Germany, emigrated to the United States 
in 1841S, and settled in Clinton Cc)unty, 111., where 
he has since engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing. For many years he has served as Super- 
visor of his township, and is prominent in the 
ranks of the Democratic party, being regarded as 
one of the most inlluential men of his communit}'. 
In religions matters he is a Catholic. 

The mother of our subject, Elizabeth, was born in 
Saxony, Germany-, and came to the LTnited States 
with her father, Peter Werner, settling in Clinton 
County, 111., where her de^h occurred ]\Iarcli 10, 
1878. She was a devoted member of the Catholic 
Church, u wise and atYectiunate helpmate to her 
husband, and a tender mother to liei' children, 
seven in number, viz.: Peter, who lives in San 
Francisco; Gerhardt; Katherine, who resides with 
her brother, our subject; Anna, a Sister of Charity' 
at St. Klizabclh Hospital, Chicago; Harry II., .John 
G. and Benjamin N., who reside with their father. 

The Doctor's Ixiy hood years were spent at home, 
in attendance at the district schools. After hav- 
ing taken private instruction for a time, he entered 
the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was 
graduated in 188',l. AVitli a thorough theoretical 
knowledge of his profession, he left college and 
opened an ollicc for practice at Carlyle. After a 
short time there he went to Vienna, Austria, where 
he took a s|iecial medical course. From that city 
he went to Berlin and became a student in the 
University of Berlin. 

His studies in tlie University completed, the 
Doctor returned to the United States, and sele(;t- 

ly 



ing Alton as his future field of labor, coinnieuced 
the practice of his profession in this eil3'. After 
so long a study in the best medical schools of the 
world, success was the natural consequence. He rose 
rapidly in his profession, and soon established a 
large practice, which is constantly increasing. At 
Carlyle, III., April 26, 1893, he married Mary, 
daughter of Philii) and Elizabeth (Heil) Scliaefer, 
residents of Clinton County, and prominent old 
settlers of that locality. Of their union one child 
has been born, Mary Josephine, whose birth oc- 
curred June 10, 1891. In religious belief they 
are Catholics. 

In everything pertaining to his profession. Dr. 
Taphorn takes a commendable interest, and is 
identilied with the Illinois State Medical Society, 
also the Alumni Association of the St. Louis Medi- 
cal College. At iiresent he is rendering eflicieut 
service as a member of the Pension Board at Al- 
ton. He is a member of the Knights of Father 
Mathews' Western Catholic Union. In politics he 
votes the Democratic ticket. While engaged in 
active practice, he has not given up his studies; 
on the c:ontrary, he is in touch with the world's 
advancement in medical science, of which it is [ire- 
dicted that at no distant day he will be a bright 
ornament. He is polished and courteous in nian- 
ncis, somewhat reserved, but a pleasant and inter- 
esting conversationalist. 



ALSER SCIHESS. One of the representa- 
tive citizens of Alton is the gentleman 
whose history we now proceed to trace. 



He IS active in local works of progress, and 
at the present time is President of the Alton Pack- 
ing Refrigerating Comiiany. 

The birth of Mr. Schiess occurred on the 25th 
of December, 1834, in Beigzabern, (Jermany, his 
parents being Frederick and Christina (Ague) 
Schiess. The former participated in the later 
wars of Napoleon I, taking the place of his elder 
brother. He was at that lime only seventeen years 
of age, and one of the relics which have been 
handed down to his childien from that war is an 




452 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



arm 3' overcoat formerly worn by him. His wife 
died wiicn her son, our siil)ject, wns quite young. 
Tlicy were holii devout nienilicns of the Reformed 
LuUieraii CUiureli. For generations the men of 
tlie Sehiess family followed the calling of butcher- 
ing. 

The early years of lialsei Sehiess were si)eiit un- 
der the parental roof, and when a young lad he 
commenced learning the trade formerly followed 
by his father, llis education was obtained in the 
German schools of the Fatherland. In the spring 
of IMol, when nineteen years of age, lie set sail for 
America, and on landing in New York Cit^' at 
once set out for the west. Soon after arriving in 
Alton he engaged in bulchering, and two years 
later established himself in business, since which 
time he has continued in the trade. Since the 
time he left school he has never devoted a day's 
work to any outside line of business, and has never 
earned a dollar in anj' other than his accepted 
trade. 

Knlaigiiig his business enterprises, Mr. Sehiess 
in 181)3 organized the Alton Packing and Refrig- 
ei'ating t'om|)any, which is a chartered concern 
with a capital stock of *50,000. The incorporators 
of the company were, Mr. Sehiess, Henry Meyers 
and Alfred Saticr. The ju'esent oflicers are, our 
subject, Presi<lent; llenr^' Meyers, Manager; John 
E. Hayiier, Treasurer, and William Ague, Secre- 
tary. This firm carries on a regular (jacking busi- 
ness, putting up haras, bacon and sausage, and 
does an extensive business both at home and 
abroad. The lirst year the company's business 
amounted to about *200,()00, and it is rapidi}' in- 
creasing. They ship extensively, though their 
main business is confined to Illinois. 

On Novcmlier 17, 18G2, our subject married 
Miss Matilda, daughter of Charles and Mary Rhode- 
uieycr. Mrs. Sehiess is a native of this city, and 
by her marriage has become the mother of four 
children. The eldest of the family is Matilda, who 
resides at home; Fred is in the butcher business at 
Alton; Caroline is the wife of the Rev. Mr. lirad- 
ley, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Upper 
Alton; Mary, the youngest, completes the familj'. 

To our subject great credit is due for the emin- 
ent success which he has made of his business af- 



fairs, for it is due entirely to his own efforts that 
he has achieved prosperity. His luisiness methods 
are above reproach, and he is known to be a man 
of the strictest integrity. In the development and 
welfare of Alton he is always interested, and does 
his part in the good goveriuneiit of the same. In 
politics he supports the Republican parly. 



EVERETT A. CI>EMENT, for many \cnv> a 
commercial traveler, is now living retiieil 
in the city of Alton. He is the son of Ed- 
win Clement, who was born ill \'eriiioiit ill 1810. 
His mother was also a native of the Green Moun- 
tain Slate, and prior to her marriage was known as 
Ellen Atlierton. The Athertons arc an old and 
iiilluential family in the east, the founders in 
America being two brothers who came from En- 
gland and of whom Gen. Humphrey Atlierton is a 
descendant. 

Mrs. Ellen Clement was born in 181SJ and met 
and married her husband in her native state. An 
uncle of our subject, Charles Clement, came to 
Alton about the lime of the Lovejoy riot; he car- 
ried on a large marble business and became very 
wealth^'. Edwin Clement emigrated to Illinois in 
1851, locating (irst in Quiucy, and the following 
3ear moved to Jacksonville. In 1858 he made his 
advent into this city, where he was engaged in 
the marble business until his decease, in January. 
1892. His good wife survives and makes her 
home with our subject. 

The i)aieiilal family included live childroii, of 
whom tliiee are living: Luciaii, wlui makes his 
home in Pierce C1I3', Mo.; E. A., of thisskeU'h, and 
Flora, now the wife of Dr. William Everett, of 
Highland, this county. The eldest son served as 
a soldier during the late war as a member of the 
One Hundred and Thirty-third Illinois Infantry. 

The original of this sketch was born January 21, 
18-lG, in Rridgewater, Vt., and t-ompivted his ed- 
ucation after moving to this city as a student in 
the high school and Shurtleff College. He later 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



453 



clerked for six months in a dry-goods store in tliis 
city, after wliicli lie went to .St. J.,ouis and for one 
year was employed in the dry-goods establishment 
of C. B. Hubble, Jr., it Co. At the expiration of 
tiiat time he returned to Alton and was engaged 
in tiie marble business with his fatlier until 1808, 
wlicii he formed a partnership with his father-in- 
law, who owned a harness, saddlery and leather 
store, and operated with him until February, 1872. 
That 3'ear Mr. Clement went to Cliicago in the in- 
terest of the Union Hide & Leather Company and 
remained tliere for some time in order to learn 
the business. 

The next enterprise in which our subject was 
engaged was the manufacture of shoes, having 
completed a contract with the state to conduct the 
siioe de[)artnient in the leformatorj' at Pontiac. 
The two years in which he was thus engaged he 
lost about $9,000 on account of trouble he had 
with the State Board. Mr. Clement then began 
traveling for a shoe house in Rochester, N. Y. 
The next firm for wliieli he traveled was the 
George E. Keitli C'ompany, of Biocton, Mass. In 
1875 our subject came witii his family to Alton, 
where he intends to inai<e his permanent liome. 

Septeml)er 1, 1868, Mr. Clement and Miss Eme- 
line Sidway, daughter of George D. and Emeline 
(Douglas) Sidway, were united in marriage. Jlrs. 
Sidway was born in Vermont December 20, 1812, 
and accom|)anied her parents on their removal 1o 
Buffalo, N. Y., tiience to this city, where the father 
was engaged in the harness business. Jlr. Sidway 
was born in Cioslien, Orange Count}', N. Y., Sep- 
tember 1. 1801, and died December 1, 1892. His 
wife died November 30, 1871. The parents located 
ill Jersey County, this state, in 1832, and in 1844 
came to Alton, where he was one of the prominent 
business men. He was one of the main-stays in 
the Methodist Chureli in this city. Tiiey reared a 
family of two children, Lcverett B., residing in 
Chicago, and Mrs. Clement, who was born Decem- 
ber 7, 1848, in this city. She is a lady of high 
attainments and was educated in llic Jaclisonville 
Eeinale College. 

To our subject and his cslimable wife there were 
liiirii nine children, seven of whom are living, 
namely: George, born in 1869; Miibel, in 1871; 



Frank S., 1873; Mary E., 1877; Everett A., 1881; 
Chester IL, 1887, and Sidway, 1891. The eldest 
daughter is a graduate of the Jacksonville Semi- 
narj', while Miss Mary coin|)lctcd her education in 
tiie Alton High School. In polities our subject is 
a strong Rcpuljlican and takes great interest in the 
success of his party. 






■jf OHN SCIIWAKZ. In this volume m.ay be 
I found biograpiiies of many influential citi- 
^^ 1 zeiis who have plodded up the steeps of 
^^Jy honor and prosperity with energy and suc- 
cess. Tiie life of Mr. Schwarz furnislies a good 
example of liiis kind. He is now the owner of a 
good farm on section 29, Leef Township, and 
thereon is devoting his attention to agricultural 
[lursuits. Progressive in every way, he is known 
ill this part of the county as one of the well-to-do 
and prominent farmers. 

In the village of Langenbrucken, Baden, Ger- 
man}', Mr. Schwarz w.as born January 22, 1842. 
His father, Matliias, was born in Mangelsheim, Ba- 
den, March 25, 1810, and in youth learner] tiie 
trade of a tailor. He married Theresa Ganguinger, 
who was born in Baden October 27, 1812, being a 
daugliter of Blathias Gangninger of tliat province. 
In llie spring of 1853 Mathias Schwarz witli his 
family set sail from Bremen in a sailing-vessel and 
after a voyage of fift^'-six days landed in New Or- 
leans. Transferring there to a river steamer, he 
ascended the Mississippi to St. Louis and went 
thence direct to Highland, 111. 

After a week's sojourn in Iligliland, Mathias 
Schwarz went to Marine, where he rented a small 
house and began working at his trade. During the 
following year he erected the lirst two-story brick 
building in the town, and there he continued at 
his trade until 1862, after whicli he operated a 
rented farm for four years. Rural life pleased him 
so well that in 1866 he purchased one hundred 
and sixty acres on section 30 of Leef Townshii), 
and there he made his home until March 15, 1872, 
when he was called from earth. 

()f a family of nine children our subject was 



451 



rORTUAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



fourth in order of birtb and the eldest of four 
sons. From his sixth year until the time of emi- 
<;iali()n he attendod parociiial schools and contin- 
ued his studies for a short lime after reacliing 
America. When twelve years old he began to 
work by the month on farms in the neighborhood. 
his earnings going into the family treasury'. Af- 
ter the purchase of the farm in Leef Township he 
rented the [)lacc where the family had resided for 
the four preceding years and began life for him- 
self. 

April 10, 186G. Mr. Sehwarz married Elizabeth, 
daughter of Charles Guenter, who was born in 
Prussia in 1800. Mrs. Sehwarz was also born in 
Prussia, the date of her birth being June 21, 1842; 
she was the fourth child and only daughter in a 
family of live, and was onl^' two years old when 
brought by her parents to the United States. Unto 
our subject and his wife have been born eleven 
children, si.K of whom survive. They are: John 
C, Charles M., Theodore W., Emma T., Johanna 
and Elizabeth. 

In religious coiiiieclion Mr. and Mrs. Sehwarz 
are identified with llie Catholic Church at Grant- 
fork. In polities he is a firm supporter of the old 
Democratic principles. Among the ollicial posi- 
tions held liy him may be mentioned those of 
School Director, in which capacity he served for 
ten years; School Trustee, six years; Highway 
Commissionei , three terms, and he has also been 
Church Trustee for many years. He is a member 
of the Catholic Knights of America, Highland 
Branch No. 37;3, of which he has been Trustee. 



a i K 3 I K a i t: ac at - a i & ffiat&ai^ai&^ig^^g^^ 



ft_ ENRY S. BAKER, Ji;., a leading attorney, 
*^ pr.aclicing in the city of Alton, is a native 
of this place and was born June 7, 1857. 
^ Ills father, who also bore the iiaiiio of 
Henry S., was born at Kaskaskia, this slate, No- 
vember 10, 1821. He in luin was the son c>f David 
J. Baker, a native of the Empire Stale, whence he 
came west ami located In Kaskaskia in 1818. He 
waseiiueated for a professional career and followed 



tlic practice of law in this state, where he ranked 
high among the members of the Bar. At one time 
he was I'nited States District Attornev for Illi- 
nois and was appointed Senator by (Governor Ed- 
wards. In politics the grandfather <if our subject 
was a Whig, and departed this life in Alton, Au- 
gust 10, 18Gi). 

Henry S. Baker, Sr., was educated :il llrowii 
University of Rhode Island and was admitted to 
practice at the Bar of Alton. He served as a mem- 
ber of the legislature from 1855 to 1857, and was 
one of the members who elected Lj'inan Trumbull 
to the United States Senate. Henry Baker re- 
ceived the a|)pointment of Judge of the City 
Court of Alton in 18G4, which |)Osition ho held 
until 1880. He always took an active part in the 
workings of the Rp])ublicaii party, of which he 
was an ardent admirer, and served as secretary of 
the first committee when the convention w.as held 
in Illinois. The father is now living on the old 
homestead, having retired from the |)raclice of law 
in 1888. 

Mrs. Emily (liailey) Baker, llie niolhei- of our 
subject, was a native of Illinois,- and her parents, 
who were born in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois 
in an early day, locating at once in this city. Mr. 
Bailey was also a lawyer 1)3' profession, but did 
not practice very long. He was a relative of 
Judge Jeremiah Black, and de[)arted this life in 
1849. Mrs. Baker died in 1862. linn In the faith 
of the Baptist Church. 

The parental family included three children, 
our subject's brother and sister being Sidney and 
Jennie 15. Henry S., Jr., received his primary 
educalioii in the Alton schools and was gradu- 
ated from llic high school in 1870. He then en- 
tered Shurlleff College, where he conducted his 
studies for four ^ears, and then on acciiunl of ill 
health was obliged to discontinue his studies for a 
time. Subseipiently he read law in the oflice of 
his honored father for two years and was achnit- 
ted to the Bar Noveinl>er 30, 1882. He immedi- 
ately began practicing in connection with his 
father, and in 18:i;j was elected City Attorney and 
re-elected in 1885. 

Our sulijecl has always taken an .active part in 
politics, and has often served as delegate to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



455 



vai-ious conventions of the Republican party. He 
has been very successful in his law practice, and as 
an attorney is coming rapidly to the front. He 
makes a special feature of commercial law, in 
which he is well read. He comes naturally by his 
talent in this direction, as his father and grand- 
father were prominent attorneys of the state. His 
uncle, the Hon. David .1. Baker, is at present Chief 
.lustice of the Supreme Court of Illinois. Our sub- 
ject has built up a large business as a collector and 
represents nearly all the leading commercial agen- 
cies in the state. 



1^+^P= 



'^ ENRY WATSON, one of the substantial 
J citizens of Alton, was born March 17,1836, 




in County Durham, England, wheie his 
parents, John and Jane (Dowson) Watson, 
were also born. The father was a farmer by occu- 
pation and departed this life in March, 1858. His 
good wife survived him only two years, passing 
away in 1860. They were Methodists in religion 
and people held in high esteem in their community. 

The parental family included the following 
children: John and Heniy, now deceased; Eliza- 
beth, Mrs. Richard Taylor; Jane, the wife of 
George IJster; Mary, Mrs. Alfred Boyd; Henry, of 
this sketch, and Sarah, the wife of Fawcett Kell. 
The early life of our subject was spent at home, 
attending the common schools, after which he 
learned the trade of a mason. He sailed for the 
United States in April, 1859, coming direct to Al- 
ton, where he had relatives, and began working 
at his trade the next day after he had arrived. 
During the construction of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad he was made assistant foreman mason, 
building all the stone work on the bridges from 
Bloomington to Shirley. 

In 1862 our subject formed a partnership with 
a Mr. Atkinson, and purchasing the Piatt quarry, 
continued to operate it for about eight j'ears, when 
he sold out. During this time he contracted for a 
large amount of work for the Chicago A Alton 
Road, and after the dissolution of the partnership 



Mr. Watson returned to his old home in England, 
remaining there for several months. 

When again coming to Alton, our subject pur- 
chased what was known as the railroad quarry 
near the city, including twelve acres, which he be- 
gan to operate, and is still the owner. He then 
gave his entire attention to building and erected 
the Big Four shops at Mattoon, this state, after 
which he went to Missouri and completed the 
railroad shops at Moberly, at a cost of ^125,000. 
He furnished the stone ballast for the Chicago, At- 
ton & St. Louis Railroad between East St. Louis 
and Springfield, which required several years to 
fill. He also furnished the stone for the Mer- 
chant's Bridge at St. Louis, and the concrete stone 
for the new bridge in this city. Mr. Watson has 
a stone yard in Chicago, which he keeps well 
stocked, and is doing a splendid business in that 
line. He is President of the Alton Lime & Cement 
Company, whose office is located near the quarries. 
The company, which is incorporated with a capital 
stock of !S10,000, manufactures large quantities of 
lime which they ship to the various markets, and 
find this industry is a very profitable one. 

In the year 1873 Mr. Watson built the round 
house for the St. Louis & Iron Mountain Road 
at De Soto, Mo., and two yeais later furnished 
the brick and stone for the shops of the Cleve- 
land, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Rail- 
road. He also had the contract for the build- 
ing of the Union Depot at St. Louis, and while 
engaged in its construction erected the Alton 
water works at a cost of $100,000. Our subject, 
together with a Mr. Taylor, owned the water works 
for a time, when they sold out to a Boston syndi- 
cate for $110,000. Our subject employs in his 
quarries about fifty men and in the yards in and 
about Chicago has about forty helpers. 

Our subject was married in December, 1858, 
to Miss Fanny Dowson, also a native of Eng- 
land. Their union resulted in the birth of two 
children: Emily F., now deceased; and George 
F., a railroad engineer in Minnesota. Mrs. Watson 
was born in 1839 and departed this life in 1863. 
Our subject was later married, the lady on this 
occasion being Jennet Johnston, the daughter of 
James and Mary Johnston, natives of Ayrshire, 



456 



PORTRAIT ANO lilOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



ScDthind. Of this iiniiin llioro wore born sovPii fliil- 
(Ircii: iMiiily !•'., llenrv .■mil .l!iiiios,(li'cea«'<1; i\I:imi<', 
Bessie, Gracie niul an infant unnamed. Mrs. Wat- 
son is a mi'mher of the I'loshytoiian C'iiurcl). In 
politics our subject is a standi Ucpublican, and 
socially belongs to Piasa Lodge No. 27, A. V. & 
A. M., Alton t'liaiitor No. H, and Ik'lvidei-o C'oni- 
mandery No. 2. 

Mr. and Mrs. Watson occupy an elegant brick 
residence located on an eminence and command- 
ing a view of the surrounding country. The 
grounds al)<)ut the residence are beautifully kept 
and the liouse is furnished in modern style. 




<CC'H"»^-»"H"i"»*'H'J8f'''****'*-^'i"i''i"^'i'^X> 



DAM Rl'TII, who rendered valuable serv- 
ice in tiie late war as a Union soldier, 
makes his home in the city of Alton. He 
was born October 30, 1831, in Ilesse-Cassel, 
Germany, and is the son of Conrad and Elizabeth 
(Flickenstcin) Rutli, the former of whom was a 
native of Ilesse-Cassel, Germany, his liirtli occur- 
ring there in 1801. 

Conrad Ruth crossed the Atlantic in 1857, and 
after landing in the New World made his way di- 
rectly to this sLate, locating in Macoupin County, 
whence he later removed to Louisville, K}., and 
there died in 1873. Ilis good wife was also a na- 
tive of the Fatherland, the date of her birth being 
June 13, 1813. With her husband, she was a de- 
voted member of the Evangelical Church and be- 
came the mother of three children: Catiierine M., 
who is now the widow of Martin Zorn; Sophia, who 
married .lohn S. Eichl)crger, and our subject. 

Adam Ruth preceded his father to the United 
States, coming here in 18.52, and located at once in 
Louisville, Ky., where he learned the cooper's trade, 
lie remained in that city for about three years, 
when he crossed the line into this state, making 
his home in Macoupin County. In August, 1862, 
while the latx> war was in progress, Mr. Huth en- 
listed as a member of Company G, One Hundred 
and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry, and was 



niustei-ed into service at Camp Palmer, August 12. 
He went to the front with his company and par- 
ticipated in the battle fought at Parker's Cross 
Roads, in Tennessee, as a member of Geneial Dun- 
ham's Brigade. Their next eng.agenient was at 
Town Creek, whence they went to Tupelo, Miss., 
and after that battle were ordered to go after Gen- 
eral Price in Missouri, to which place they had a 
lliii'ty day's march. 

Our siil)ject was a member of the Sixteenth 
Army Corps, commanded by Gen. A. .1. Smith 
on the above expedition, after which the regiment 
was ordered to Nashville and took part in the bat- 
tle at that place in December, 18G1. They then fol- 
lowed Hood, driving him out of Tennessee, and 
then went into camp at Eastport, on the Tennessee 
River. After remaining there for some weeks, they 
were sent to Mobile and tcok part in the att.ick and 
capture of Ft. Pilakely, after which they went to 
Montgomery. Marching into Alabama, the regi- 
ment remained there for a time, then returned to 
Alobile, where they were mustered out of sin-viee in 
.June, ISC'), and discharged at .Springtield, this 
state, August 9, 1865. 

Mr. Ruth had his feet frozen while on guard 
duty and was sent to the camp hospital. Upon his 
return to this state he began work in Collinsville, 
where he remained until 1861>. That year he en- 
gaged in farming, which he followed successfully 
for live years and then accepted the position of 
cleik for a firm at Dorchester, in whose employ he 
remained for five years. After coming to this 
cit}' in 187!) our subject purch.ased inopcrty and 
turned hisattention to teaming,etc., having a num- 
ber of trucks and good horses. 

The marriage of Mr. Until occurred September 
4, 1865, to Miss Sarah .lane Dotson, of Macoupin 
County. Her father was named Thomas Dotson, 
and her mother was Mrs. Anna A. Uuth. They 
were both born in Tennessee and emigrated to this 
county in 1851. To our subject and his wife there 
have been born six children: .Tames A., Conrad G.; 
IMaria Elizabeth, now Mrs. George Snyder, of this 
city; Mary Alice, Mrs. Henry Stewart, who makes 
her home in Upper Alton; George I*", and Annie E., 
at home. 

The family are all niembers in good standing of 



PORTRATT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



457 



the Baptist Church and occiqiy a pleasant liomeon 
Bozza Street. In politics Mr. Ruth is an ardent 
Republican, on which ticket he was elected High- 
way Commissioner, wiiich office he held for six 
3'ears. 



''Jl AMES DAVIS, one of the most prominent 
nurserymen in this portion of the state, 
owns a finely improved farm in Godfre}' 
Township, where he has a large orchard 
planted to peach and [tear trees. The raising of 
fruit h.as engrossed his attention since the age of 
nineteen years, and combining experience with 
energy and good judgment, he has made a success 
of his chosen occupation. He is well known in 
this township, where he was born May 1, 1842, 
and of which he has been a lifelong resident. 

The Davis family was long identified with the 
history of England, whence our subject's grand- 
father, Joshua Davis, emigrated to America prior 
to the Revolutionary War, locating in IJaltiraore, 
Md. Though a man of limited means, by industry 
and frugality he was soon enabled to purchase 
land, upon which he erected a small house. There 
he reared his family and spent the remainder of his 
life, dying when eighty-seven 3'ears of age. 

Lawrence Davis, the father of our subject, was 
also a farmer, and when a young man left his 
native state and went to Kentucky, where he met 
and married Miss Minerva MaxncU. Their union 
resulted in the birth of seven children, all of 
whom with the exception of Boswcll Davis, who 
also lives in this township, are deceased. In 1821 
Lawrence Davis removed to St. Louis, Mo., when 
all the inluabitants of that now famous city were 
French. He w.as offered the four-acre lot on which 
the courthouse now stands for $200, and although 
he had the mone}' to pay for it, thought that en- 
tirely too large a sum. After a short stay in the 
Mound City he came to Alton, and in 1822 located 
in Godfrey Township, where he was engaged in 
farm pursuits until his renu)val to Litchfield. He 
made his home in that place for only a few 
months, when he came to the conclusion that 



Godfrey Township was the best after all, and 
returned thither. 

On the death of his first wife Lawrence Davis 
was married to the mother of our subject, who in 
her m.aidenhood was Nancy Calfey, daughter of 
James Calfey. Mrs. Davis w.as born in Tennessee 
and bore her husband a family of six children, of 
whom our subject was the eldest. Elizabeth is the 
widow of George White; Sarah is now Mrs. George 
Ferguson; Julia married Philip Schweisardl; Henry 
is deceased, and Salina is the wife of A. C. 
Bartlett. 

When the father of our suliject first came to 
Madison County there was not a house in Lower 
Alton, and with one exception, his nearest neigh- 
bor was twenty miles distant; the place was then 
called Hickory Point, but has since become the 
beautiful town of Jerseyvillc. He settled here 
among the Indians and depended on his gun to 
furnish himself and family with meat, making 
hunting his business during the winter season. 
He and his good wife were both members of the 
Baptist Church. In politics he was first a Whig 
and later a Rei)ulilican. The father departed this 
life in Jerse.yville when in his eighty-fifth year. 
His good wife still survives, being now in her 
eightieth year. She m.akes her home with her 
daughter, Mrs. White. 

The original of this sketch remained at home 
with his parents and attended the district school 
until he was nineteen years of age. He then en- 
gaged in the nursery business in company with A. 
S. Barry, and on his partner's death, thirteen years 
later, he purchased his interest in the business and 
has ever since continued to follow this branch 
of agriculture. He has one of the finest peach 
orchards in the countj', together with about five 
hundred pear trees and many of the smaller fruits, 
in the raising of which he has met with unusual 
success. 

James Davis was married on the 20th of .Tunc, 
1860, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Burns Mor- 
ris. The lady was born in Ireland but came to 
Madison County, 111., with her brother when 
only fourteen years of age. By her union with 
our subject there have been born five children, 
three sons and two daughters. Charles is a promi- 



458 



PORTRAl r AM) mOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



nent attorney' in Dead wood, S. Dak.; lie is a finely 
eiliR'.nti'd yoiiny man. being a graduate of Sliurl- 
leff C'dliegc and the law seliool in St. Louis. Will- 
iam, the second son, who is eolleclor and real- 
estate dealer in Alton, was also educated in Shiirt- 
leff College and finislied a law course in Lincoln, 
Nel).; Am.asa, also a graduate of the college in this 
county, is at home, .is arc Kll;i and ll.uinah. 

Ahout the time of his marriage our subject 
bought a tract of wild timber land, which he set 
about clearing an<i cultivating, lie has added to 
it from time to time and erected thereon large and 
commodious farm buildings, lie has a line resi- 
dence t.astcfully furnished, and his home is recog- 
nized as an abode of great lios|)italily. 

Mr. Davis is an ardent supitorter of tiie Repub- 
lican jtarty and is always to be found in the front 
rank of all enterprises tending to benefit his com- 
munity, lie and his estimable wife are both 
valued members of the Congregational Cluirch 
and are ready and willing at all times to help in 
the cause of Christianity. 



iWM^ 



» OIIN WF.SLEY ASn, an old and highly 
honored citizen of Alton, was born in 
Philadelphia, P.a., .luly 12, 1820, and is the 
J son fif .lohn P. and Alice (Irwin) Ash, the 
former of whom was a native of Lancaster Count}', 
Pa., his birth occurring .lanuaiy 17, 1795. He in 
turn was the st)n of .lolin Ash, who was like- 
wise born in the Keystone .State, about 1738. His 
father w.as b^- name Joseph Ash, and emigrated 
from (ierniany during the Colonial days. He 
lived until 183G, when he died, in the ninety-eighth 
year of his age. He was a fanner and resided in 
Chester County, Pa. His son, John, was a plas- 
terer by trade, which business the father of our 
subject also followed. 

John P. Ash came west in 1830, locating in this 
citj', where his family joined him the following 
year. Here he carried on his traile, which he also 



taught to his sons. In polities he was a Demo- 
crat, and at one time served as a member of the 
City Council. In religious matters he was a 
Methodist, in the faith of which he died April 8, 
1872. His good wife, Mrs. Alice Ash, w.as born in 
Adams County, ]'a., March 23, 17!)3, and died in 
this city ill liSr)2. .She, too, was a devoted mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. Ilci- father, Israel 
Irwin, was a native of the Keystone State, and of 
Irish descent. He was married to Margaret, a 
daughter of .Iose|)h Trego, who w.as also born in 
Chester County, the date thereof being Pebriiary 
2, 17(17. . Joseph Trego was born May 11, 1722, 
and was the son of William Trego, whose birth 
took place in Pennsylvania July 3, 1(593. He was 
the son of Peter and .luditli Trego, who in 1681 
caiiu' to this country with William Penii, from 
whiiiii lie purchased a tract of fifty acres of land 
in Mi<ldlotowii. 

Our suliject had six brothers, namely: ALartin, 
Israel, .Joseph L., .lared P., Absalom T. and Will- 
iam. 'I'lie original of this sketch was educated in 
the common schools, and, when of sutlicient .age, 
he learned the plasterer's trade under his father. 
Later he acquainted himself with the needle, one 
reason for doing so being that he wished to .a.ssist 
his mother, as she had no daughters. lie served 
an apprenticeship at the tailoring trade, which he 
followed in this city until after the advent of sew- 
ing in.'ichines. 

Our subject was chosen City Clerk in 1851, 
serving a iH'iiod of nine years. In 18C2 he was 
appointed Clerk of the Alton City Court, which he 
held for eleven years, and from 1871 to 1874 was 
Alderman of the Fourth Ward. While Clerk of 
the Court he engaged in the abstract business, 
which he has followed with great success ever since. 

Mr. Ash w.as married July 8, 1841, to Miss Mar- 
garet Ann Colllesh, a native of Peiins\lvania. 
Their union has been blessed by the birth of three 
children, Lucy A., now the wife of Horace Irwin, 
of Springfield, this state; William M., of this city, 
and John M., who died in infancy. The wife 
and mother departed this life May 13, 1817, and 
the lady whom our subject chose as his .second 
companion, and to whom he was married January 
22, 1850, was Miss Margaret, daughter of I5eal 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



459 



Howiirrt, wlio located in this city in 1830. Hy 
this iniirriagc seven children have been bom: 
Anna M., now the wife of William E. Riggins, of 
SpringTield, 111.; Ellen, who nianied Is.aae N. Mc- 
Neil, of Sedalia, Mo.; Fannie, the wife of George 
T.Davis, of tliLseity; Samuel II.. Lizzie, John W., 
Jr., anil Henry U., all at home. 

Mr. Ash h.as always voted with the Republican 
party, which he Grmly believes to be in the right. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- 
ing to Piasa Lodge No. 27, and is likewise con- 
nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. Mrs. Ash died September 3. 1888. 



m^ 



E^- 



/^^IIRISTIAN IHRSCHL A plain statement 
(|( of the fiicts embraced in the life of the late 

"^ii/'' Mr. Hirschi is undoubtedly the best biogra- 
phy- that can be written of him; for, upon an ex- 
amination of these f.icts, there will be found the 
career of one whose entire course through the 
world was marked by unwavering honesty and fi- 
delity of purpose. For many years a resident of 
Leef Township, he was long numbered among the 
eflicient and progressive agriculturists of his local- 
ity. Although subject to many inconveniences 
and hardships at the beginning of his experience 
as a tiller of the soil, he succeeded in clearing a 
valuable farm, which he supplied with good build- 
ings and modern machinery. 

Noting more minutely the events giving char- 
acter to the life of Mr. Hirschi, we find that he 
was born in Canton P.ernc, Switzerland, October 14, 
1834. His father, Christian Hirschi, Sr., also a na- 
tive of Switzerland, emigrated to America in 1849, 
wlien our subject was a youth of fifteen, and set- 
tling near Pierron, there accumulated two hundred 
acres of land. 

On the 25tli of October, 1863, our subject 
was united in marriage with Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of Christian and Barbara (Rernat) Tontz. Mrs. 
Hirschi was born in Leewis, Switzerland, being the 
youngest of a family of four children. Her par- 



ents were both natives of Canton Graubuenden, 
Switzerland, the father born in Leewis July 26, 
1802, and the mother in Egis November 6, 1804, 
their marri.igc taking place in Leewis March 10, 
1833. In 1845 they emigrated to America, enter- 
ing the country' at New Orleans after a voyage of 
thirty-six days. Ascending the Mississippi River 
they came to Highland, where a large Swiss colony 
had been established, and began the .accumulation 
of the large estate now in the family. 

Twelve children were born to the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Hirschi: John R., the eldest, is engaged 
in farming in Texas; Frederick T. resides on the 
old homestead; Emil L. is proprietor of a hard- 
ware store in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory; Jacob 
is deceased; Alfred is engaged in business in Cali- 
fornia; William is with his brother Emil in Guth- 
rie; Mary E., an accomplished young lady, is at 
present a stenographer in St. Louis; Rose D., Rob- 
ert O. and Barbara remain with their mother; Ar- 
nold and Christian J. are deceased. Prior to her 
union with our subject, Mrs. Hirschi married his 
brother John, who died about three months after 
their wedding. Of this union was born one daugh- 
ter, Barbara M., who died in 1872, at the ago of 
ten years. 

The Hirschi farm is one of the finest in Leef 
Township. It consists of two hundred and eighty 
acres embellished with suitable buildings, includ- 
ing a substantial and commodious brick house 
which has been the family i-esidence for twenty- 
two years. For seven years previous the}- lived 
in a smaller dwelling in another part of the farm. 
In addition to the tract comprising the home 
place, the estate includes one hundred and sixty 
acres situated on sections 22 and 23. 

In his political relations Mr. Ilirsclii was stanch 
in his allegiance to the Reiiublican |)ai-ty; his son, 
Frederick T., is identified with the People's party. 
Mrs. Hirschi is identified with the F>vangelical 
Church of Saline, hy her loving sympathy and 
her prudence in the management of household af- 
fairs she proved a true helpmate to her husband, 
whose success in agricultural matters he attributed 
largely to the care and eflicient co-operation of his 
wife. He was an upright man, straighlforwaid in 
all his dealings, and obliging and kind in his rcla- 



KUI 



roiniJAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL UECORD. 



I inns with fnmily, nciiihliuis mikI Iriciifls. Ilis 
(lentil — July 12, 1802 — wns mourned liy the ppnpie 
of the townslii)), who realized Umt in liisdealli one 
of tlieir bcsl eilizens was lost. 



=^^>^^<i 



yiOIIN KLAUS, one of the most prosperous 
farmers of the eastern part of Madison 
County, was bom in I'.avaria. (ierninny, 
Octolier 24, 182:5. The family of whieh he 
is a member was long identified wilii tlie histor3' 
of I'liivaria, and there his father, George Klaus, 
was born in 1792. The latter was a man of mod- 
erate means and engaged in business as a fruit 
grower, owning the land on whieh his orehards 
were situated. The family cf>nsislcd of three chil- 
dren: Margaret, who married Valtes Arntniann; 
.John, of this sketch; and Adam, who is repre- 
sented elsewhere in this volume. 

At the .age of live years our subject was or- 
phaned by the death of his molhei ; he afterward 
made his home with his father and steij-mother 
until he w.as nineteen, though at the age of sixteen 
he began a three ^-ears' apprenticeship to the trade 
of a cabinet-maker. On completing his term of 
apprenticeshii) he went to Russia, where he and his 
brother followed their trade for three years. Be- 
ing ambitious to better his financial condition he 
left Russia for Austria and there followed his 
trade for six montlis. With his brother he set sail 
for the United States, landing in New York in 
18l(). The voyage, which consumed sixteen weeks, 
was an eventful and perilous one. Uor nine weeks 
the ship encountered heavy storms off the coast of 
Kngland, and freinu^ntl^' the high winds cleared 
the deck of its sails. However, they at last dropped 
anchor safely in the harbor of New York. 

Reaching the New World with a cash capital of 
*5, Mr. K'lau.s at once sought employment .at his 
trade, and was thus occupied for two and one-half 
years in New Yf)rk. In 1M|;|, with his brother, he 
set sail for California via Cape Horn, and during 
the ocean voyage of six montlis encouiiteied inanv 
severe st/>rni.s. In the Oolden .State he worked at 



his trade for six weeks and then went to Weaver 
Creek, where for several months he was success- 
full}' eng.aged in mining. However, provisions 
were so high that very little money could be 
saved. Potatoes were sold for ''I jier pfiund, and 
cabbages were also disposed of at a similar price. 
At that time San Krancisco contained very few 
liouses, the j)eople living iirincipally in tents. 

The brotheis mined in various places, and after 
abandoning that occu|)ation returned east via the 
Isthmus of Panama, landing in New Orleans. 
After a .sojourn there of a few weeks they prf»- 
ceeded to St. Louis, and from there went to .St. 
Clair County, III., locating in the vicinity of lielle- 
ville, where they bought one hiiiidied ;uid sixty 
acres and embarked in farming. When our sub- 
ject married he dissolved his parlneiship with his 
brother, and the same year, 1856, bought one hun- 
dred and five acres near Belleville, which he im- 
l>roved,and on which he resided for twenty years, 
lie then removed to Bond County and purchased 
one hundred and thirty acres near the Madison 
County line and adjoining Picrron. 

The wife of our subject was Maiy, daughter of 
Frederick and Klizabeth (Rick) Sehubkegel, and 
they becanic the parents of seven children, two of 
whom died in childhood. Herman, the eldest, 
was born in St. Clair County, 111., April 7. lSf>[>, 
and accompanied his parents to Bond and Madison 
Counties, receiving a good education in the com- 
mon schools. Being a thoughtful reader, he is 
thoroughly posted ujifin current events and is 
much belter iiifcjrnu'd than the majority of young 
men who liav(! had similar or greater advantages. 
At the age of twenty-live he married Miss Carrie, 
daughter of Daniel and Mary Ruedy, and they 
have six children, \'iola (Jertrude, Leo Clarence, 
Alonzo Edgar, Albert Herman, Calvin Charles and 
Stella. 

At the iiresent time Herman Kl.aus cultivates 
one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his fa- 
ther. He is serving liis second term as School 
Director and has also otiieiated as Road Overseer. 
: He is interested in the grain elevator at Highland 
I and is one of the stockholders of that enterprise. 
Both he and his wife are identilied with the Piot^ 
estant Church of Saline. The second child of our 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



461 



subject IS Otto, wlio was efluc.itcr] in the district 
schools of Madison C'ount_y and lias always re- 
mained with his father. lie married Miss Bertha 
Kurtz, and tliey have six cliirdrcn, Tillie, Ermai 
Oscar, Edwin, Ella and an infant unnamed. He 
cultivates one hundred and twenty acres belong- 
ing to his father. Our subject's other children 
are: John, Jr., Elizabeth, wife of Arnold Raeber; 
and Mary, who married Jacob Heinrich. 

After remaining a short time in Bond Count}'. 
Mr. Klaus removed his family to their present 
home, where he has four hundred and forty acres. 
His attention has been devoted strictly to farming 
and stock-raising, in which he has mot with more 
than ordinary success. As an agriculturist he is 
capable, cfflcient and enterprising, and his excel- 
lent judgment has resulted in the attainment of 
more than ordinary prosjjerity. Politically, he 
adheres to the |)rinciples of the Demociatic party. 
In religious belief he is a Catholic, while his wife 
is a Protestant. The family is one of the most 
prominent and intluential in the county, and the 
two elder sons, to whom we are indebted for these 
facts concerning their father's life, are numbered 
among the most [)rogressive citizens of Leef 
Township. 



'OIIN L. BLAIR. This prominent resident 
of Alton has greatly aided in the upbuild- 
ing of the city during the last forty 3'ears, 
and has been a Trustee of ShurtlefE College 
since ISTiG. He has also served as a member of 
the Board of Education for sixteen years, during 
twelve years of which he was President. 

William Blaij', the father of our subject, was 
born in Williamsport, Va., in 1792, and in turn 
was the son of John and Susan (Boles) Blair, the 
latter born in Hagerstown, Md. The Blair family 
is of Scotch descent, the great-grandfather of our 
subject having emigrated to this country from 
Scotland in an early day. His son John, men- 
tioned above, moved to Tennessee in 17117, and 
made his permanent home in Montgomery Coun- 
ty. The father of our subject was a planter in 



his native state, and during the War of 1812 
fought as a soldier during the entire contlict. His 
wife, in her maidenhood Mar\' L. Brodie, was 
born in 17!I4 in North Carolina, and was the 
daughter of Dr. John and Mary (Taylor) Brodie, 
also natives of that state, whence they removed 
to Montgomery County, Tenn., where they made 
their home until their decease. The}- were also of 
Scottish descent. 

The parents of our subject were married in the 
above county in 1820, and resided there until 
1835, when they emigrated to Illinois and settled 
in Greene County, where they were early pioneers. 
They lived there until a year prior to their de- 
cease, the father dying at the home of our subject 
in 1858; he was followed to the better land by 
his good wife, who lived until 1802. They be- 
came the parents of the following children: John 
L., of this sketch; William A., now deceased; 
Sarah A., the wife of John A. Chestnut; Mary, de- 
ceased, the wife of A. Ballinger; Willis Green, who 
married Mary, a daughter of A. Ballinger, formerly 
a resident of East St. Louis; and Susan, who died 
in 1852. Both Mr. and Mrs. William Blair were 
devoted members of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church, with which thej' had been connected for 
many 3'ears prior to their decease. The father 
took an active part in church work, and it was 
mainly through his iiilluence that the building 
was erected on Twelfth Street in the city of Al- 
ton. He was in no sense of the word a politician, 
although he held the oflice of Commissioner of 
Greene County for some time. He was scrupu- 
lously honest, and it was his motto that if you 
made a bad bargain "stick to it." He was public 
spirited and gave his children good educational 
advantages. 

Our subject, who is the only survivor of the 
parental famil}', was l)orn March 21, 1821, in 
Montgomery County, Tenn., and received his 
primary education in the common schools of that 
place. After coming to Illinois he was a student 
for a 3'ear in the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, 
and attended Waverly Academy for a time prior 
to this. He was fitted for a mercantile life, and 
began for himself when reaching his twentieth 
year by establishing a general store in Fayette. 



4(;2 



PORTRAIT AND RIOC.RArillCAL RECORD. 



This lie condiK'terl for iwi. \i:ii> and then re- 
inovctl his slock to C'arroUlon, where for four 
years lie was one of tiie iironilnent merehants, hav- 
ing in connection with his general store a drug 
house. In 1848 he came to Alton, which w.as then 
a small place, and conihicted a retail general store 
until 1851, when he opened a wholesale grocery 
house. 

Our subject in 1850, previous to engaging in 
the retail business, formed a partnership with a 
Mr. IJallinger, who drove three hundred mileli 
cows .across the plains to Sacramento, Cal., Mr. 
Blair remaining at home and lookingafter their in- 
terests here. The wholesale establishment was con- 
ducted under the firm name of Blair <k Ballinger 
until the decease of the latter, when it became Blair 
A- At wood. This connection continued until 1880, 
since which lime our subject has been engaged as 
a sugar broker with an oflice at St. Louis. 

The original of this sketch was married in 
1840, to Miss Lucy liallinger, who w.as born Oc- 
tober 12. 1827, and died November II, 185;V 
J^lie had become the mother of three children. 
Lucy, the only survivor, is the widow of K. L. 
Edwards, and has two children, John Blair and 
Julia Virginia. Harriet died May 18, 1884, and 
Virginia Januar}- 20, 1851. Mr. Blair was again 
married October 3, 1855, the lad^v on this occa- 
sion being Miss Sarah E. Atwood, a native of 
New Il.nmpshirc. and the daughter of Rev. John 
and Lydia (Dodge) Atwood. both of whom are 
now deceased. Mi-s. Blair was born December 12, 
182i>, and received her education in the academy 
of her native place and at the school in New- 
haniplon. N. II. By her union with our subject 
there were born seven children. Annette, the wife 
of A. L. Abbott, of St. Louis, has two children. 
John Blair and Margery; Edmund II. married 
Grace Abbott and makes his home in Alton; they 
have three children, Roy A. Abbott II. and Dor- 
othy L. Edith, .Saiali E. and Lilian are graduates 
of Shurlleff College. John died April 28, 1881, 
at New Orleans. The entire family are mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church, with which our sub- 
ject has lieen connected since 1849, and which he 
has served as Deacfui. 

Alwavs interested in ediiCAtional matters, Mr. 



Blair has been Trustee of the college since 1856, 
and li.is rendered ellicient service on various com- 
mittees calculated to raise the standard of scholar- 
ship in this county. It w.os due to his inlluence 
and energy that the colored people were .accorded 
the |>rivileges of the free schools. In politics he 
is a Prohibitionist, and has represented his party 
on various o<'casions as a delegate to conventions. 
Mr. Blair is one of the most prominent men in 
Madison County and is widely and favorabl}- 
known in this portion of the state, lie is at present 
occupying a beautiful residence which w.as erected 
twent}- years ago, on the corner of Fifteenth and 
Henry Streets. 



"ES 



^-f 



>cs_ 




^ ARTIN RICH, .Sr.. a retired merchant re- 
siding in Granlfork, was born in the vil- 
l.age of Mitloedi, Canton Glarus, Switzer- 
land. May 8. 1842. His father, Martin, a 
native of the same village, was born May 26, 
1808, and in early manhood went to Prussia, 
where he worked in a battery factory. On his re- 
turn to .Switzerland he learned the cooper's trade, 
which he followed many years, meantime support- 
ing his widowed mother until her death, in M.ay, 
1831. 

In June, 1831, Martin Ruch married Annie 
Tiscli, who w.as born in Elm, Canton filarus, in 
December. ITilO. They l)ecame tiie parents of live 
sons and three daughters, of whom our subject 
w.as the youngest. Only two survive. Martin and 
Mrs. M.agdalena Beckert, of South St. Louis. In 
the spring of 1854 the family came to America, 
leaving Switzerland in February, and alniut eight 
days later embarking at Havre in an old sailing 
vessel. After a voyage of sixty d.ays they landed 
in New Orleans, and in nine days leached St. Louis, 
going from that place direct to Highland, where 
they arrived May 1, 1854. 

For two years after coming to Madison County 
the father worked as a laborer, l>eing for one 3'ear 
of that time emplo^-ed in a quarry. In the spring 
of 18.")(; ho puichasod a farm a short distiince north 
of Highland and l)egan the life of an agriculturist. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



463 



which he continued five years. Then, selling out 
to his sons, he retired from active business and 
afterward made his home with his children until 
his death, JMarch 30, 1894. His remains were in- 
terred in the Highland Cemetery beside those of his 
wife, who passed away December 10, 1865. 

When our subject was nineteen, he and his 
brother, four years his senior, bought their father's 
farm and continued to cultivate the land in part- 
nership until the brother's death, January' 5, 18G6. 
On the r,)tli of Januar\-, ISGo, our subject mar- 
ried Natlialia A. Frey, who was born in Chateau 
Fond, Canton Neuenburg, Switzerland, March 17, 
1845. Her parents, .Tacob and Catherine (Zim- 
merman) Frey, natives of Baden, resided for some 
time in Switzerland, whence in the spring of 1850 
they came to America, journeying via Havre to 
New (Jrleans, and from there to St. Louis. After 
a sojourn of six montlis in the latter city they 
came to Highland, and afterward made their home 
in Madison Count}'. At the time of coming to 
this country the five-year-old daughter was con- 
versant with the French language, but unable to 
speak in German. She was the eldest of live 
daughters born to her parents. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rucli resulted in the 
birth of ten children, as follows: Martin, who 
died in infancy; IMartin, now a merchant of Grant- 
fork; Anna Carrie, wife of Prof. .James Lane, of 
Edwardsville, one of the leading teachers of Madi- 
son Count\-; Emma, deceased; Mina, who married 
Benedict Ambuehl, a farmer of Saline Township; 
Clara I'aulina, Charles, Ida, Edward and Ella. 
For a 3ear after his marriage Mr. Ruch continued 
farming, but in the fall of 1867 rented his place 
and removed to Pocahontas, Bond County, where 
he remained two years. 

On coming to Grantfork Mr. Rucli built a large 
brick store building and embarked in the mercan- 
tile business January 1, 1869. lie continued thus 
engaged until 1884, when he sold his stock to 
Hitz Bros., renting the building to them for six 
years. Meantime he carried on a ranch in Kansas, 
but, not fancying that kind of life, he disposed of 
the proijerty and returned to Grantfork. In 1890, 
with his eldest son, he resumed business at the old 
stand, and after four years retired from business, 



since which time the store has been conducted by 
Hitz Bros, and ]\Iartin Ruch, Jr., under the firm 
style of the Grantfork Mercantile Company. 

The landed i)ossessions of JMr. Ruch are exten- 
sive, including two farms in Kansas, aggregating 
three hundred and sixty acres, and one hundred 
and sixty acres of grazing land. In Madison 
County he owns a farm of ninety acres, also fift}' 
acres partly in timber. In addition to these he is 
the owner of some valuable lots in Grantfork. 
With his wife lie holds membership in the Pro- 
testant Church of Grantfork. Politiealh', he has 
been a Uepublican since the outbreak of the Civil 
War. He has served as Justice of the Peace, 
which position his son, Martin, Jr., now holds. 
For five successive years he has been Collector of 
Saline Township, and for one term was a member 
of the Village Board. He has been the Town 
Clerk for some time. For twenty-one years he 
was secretarj' of the church organization of which 
he is now trustee. He was the founder and for 
some time the secretary of the shooting society of 
Grantfork, which has been in existence since the 
fall of 1869. His life has been an active and use- 
ful one, and he well deserves the prosperity he 
now enjoj's. 




ARNHARD TRAUTNER, a well known 
citizen and successful farmer of Leef Town- 
ship, was born September 12, 1864, upon 
the homestead where he now lives. His 
father, Nicholas, was born in Baden, Germany, 
December 23, 1835, being the son of Barnhard 
Trautner, alsc) a native of Baden, born in June of 
1802. The latter was united in marriage in 1828 
with Miss iSlargarel Webber, whose birth occurred 
in Baden in 1812, and they became the parents of 
eight children, of whom Nicholas, the seventh in 
order of birth, is the only survivor. 

Embarking at Havre about the 1st of April, 
1842, the famil}' landed in New Orleans after a 
voyage of about sixty days and thence proceeded 
u|) the river to St. Louis and from there came to 
Highland, 111., reaching the latter point the middle 
I of June. For a year or more Grandfather Traut- 



464 



POKTRAIT AND IJIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



iicr worked l).v Hie day in and aiuund lligliland, 
afU'r wliicli lie it'iilcd a tract of land in Hie norlli- 
west corner of Saline Township. Later purchasing 
l)roperly, he made fSaline his home until his death, 
which occurred .hine 23, 188(1. Ills wife died 
.lune G, 1884. 

In the district schools Nicholas Trautner secured 
a limited education, the most of his knowledge 
being acquired in tlie world of practical experi- 
ence. Remaining with his father until in his 
twenty-third year, he tlien purchased a farm on 
section G, Saline Township, where he has since 
made his home. Here lie owns one iiundred and 
sixty acres, besides whieli he owns tlirec other 
farms of one hundred and sixty acres, each in 
Lecf Townshii). On the 16th of Feliruary, 1858, 
he married Annie, daughter of C'as|)er Accola, a 
native of Switzerland, where she was horn in May, 
183;'). Her death occurred .July 8, 1871). She was 
a iiK'inher of the Protestant Church of Granlfork, 
while Mr. Trautner and all the children are of the 
Catholic faith. To them were born six children, 
of whom live survive: Robert, Margaret, Harn- 
hard, Uavid and ■losephine. In politics the father 
has been a Republican for tin- pa>l Iwenty-iive 
years, and expects to continui' in tliat part^- as long 
as he lives. For years he was Director of the 
district schools and at present he is serving as 
School Trustee. He also lilled the position of 
Higliwa}' Commis-sioner a nuinl)er of years. 

In the [lublic and iiarochial schools of Highland 
the subject of this sketch received a practical 
education, and remained with his parents until .-it- 
taiuing manhood. I'pon attaining his majority 
he continued lo work for his father until liis mar- 
riage four years later. This important event 
united him with Elizabeth, daughter of Nicholas 
Meyer, and three children bless liieir union: 
Nicholas, I'lenjamin and Leo. The farm whicii 
Mr. Trautner oiierates consists of one hundred and 
sixty acres belonging to his falin'r, which, how- 
ever, he has entire chsirge of, maintaining Ihe 
best Improvements and paying the ttixes. 

lu religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Trnutiicr are 
members of the Catholic ('hurch at Sahiic. I'olil- 
ic.'illy he casts his vole with the Republican party. 
He and his wife are highly respected by their 




neighbors and friends. The3- are genial, kind- 
hearted and generous, ever ready to help tlio.-e in 
nee(K Their acfjuaintances have h-ai iied to respect 
them for their hospitality, thrift and intelligence, 
and they exert a good inlluence throughout the 
community. 



ARRLSON 15. STARR, propriilm <il llie 
Alsonia Eerrj' l^ine, is one of Hie old 
and respected citizens of Madison County. 
A native of Ohio, he w.'is born in Colum- 
biana County, September 8, 1831!, and is the son 
of Reuben and l{achcl (Krumb-iclicr) .Starr, the 
former of whom was lK)rii in Maryland in 18(11, of 
English parents. He was a carpenter by trade, 
which he learned after removing to the Buckeye 
State, making the journey overland some time in 
the '30s. 

The father of our subject removed with his fam- 
ily to this state in 1838, settling in Eairlicld, 
W.ayne Coiiiily, wlicre he worked at his trade until 
his decease, thai sad event occurring .July 4, I8G(!, 
in the city of Alton. He was lirst a Whig in poli- 
tics, bill after the formation of the Republican 
parly, was ever an ardent admirer and strong ad- 
vocate of its principles. His wife was born in 
Penns3ivaiiia in the year 1807, but met and was 
married to Mr. Starr in Columbiana, Ohio. She 
was of German descent, and died in 1838, when 
our subject was only two years old. 

The parental f:iiiiily included two children. Our 
subject's brother who died when four years of age 
was n;iiiic(l lliiniii. The former spent his early 
life at home with his father, and alleuded the 
common .schools until si.xteen years of age, when 
he commenced steam boating, engaging in that for 
two years. He then went with Captain LaMothe 
on the "Allonia," in 18.'>2, as watchman, and I'C- 
mained as such for two years, when he was pro- 
moted to be second male on a packet running 
from Si. Liiuis to Alton. Several years later he 
was ni.'uie male, holding that position for many 
years on the paeki'ts owned by thi' Chicago A Al- 
ton Railroad Company. Later he was a|)pointed 
ca|)tain of llie "George Wolf," a new boat, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RPXORD. 



465 



durins; the war was captain of tlie "J. R. Williams," 
whicli was captured on the Arkansas River, when 
our subject with his men was taken prisoner and 
sent to Camp Ford, Tex., wliere they were held for 
twelve months. The attack was made by Indians, 
under the command of Chief Stanwida, who turned 
them over to an Englishman, lest they should be 
killed by some of the tribe. 

About seventeen years ago Captain Starr estab- 
lished the ferr3-, running boats from Alton to the 
Missouri shore. The purchase was made from 
Berry Bros., who operated the ferry "Towmac's." 
About twelve ^ears ago our subject built the "Al- 
tonia," which he devotes to ferry service. 

Captain Starr was married in this city in 1866, 
to Miss Louisa A., daughter of William A. and Re- 
becca (Netherson) Graves, natives i-espectively of 
Vermont and Kentuck}'. Their union has resulted 
in the birth of four children, Uarr^' E., Jesse M., 
Cora I. and Ada Rebecca. Mrs. Starr is a member 
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In (loli- 
tics the Captain is a stalwart Rei)ubiican. Socially 
he belongs to Franklin Lodge No. 25, A. F. tt A. 
M. With his family he occui)ies a pleasant resi- 
dence located at No. 920 Staunton Street, in Mid- 
dlctou, where he si)ends his leisure moments. lie 
is a well Unovvji figure about the city of Alton, and 
is a genial, whole-souled man, whom it is a pleas- 
ure to know. 



-ir-^ 



I - t - 



i^RANK S. WALTliR, the owner and occu- 
.. ™, pant of a valuable farm situated on sec- 
l^ tions 19 and 20, Saline Township, was 

born near the city of New York, October 8, 1848. 
He is the son of Charles N. and Mary Magdalena 
(Klein) Walter, natives of Baden, Germany, llie 
former born May 10, 1816, and the latter about 
1S2G. The paternal grandfather, Sebastian Waller, 
was a life-long resident of Baden, where he died 
prior to the birth of our subject. 

On the 28tli of Ainil, 1843, occurred the mar- 
riage of Charles N. Walter and Mary M. Klein, 
and until the spring of 1848 they made their 
home in the Old Country, where the two eldest 



children were born. They landed in New York 
April 17, 1848, and after the biitli of Frank S. 
moved to Schoharie County, N. Y., about thirty 
miles from Alban3'. Five years later thej' came 
west to Illinois, settling in Highland in 1853. The 
father purchased a small place south of Highland, 
where for several years he made his home. He 
then sold the place and rented a larger farm for 
some years, later purchasing the property now 
owned by F'rank S. After three years' residence 
here he moved into Highland, where he remained 
until his death, September 15, 1884. 

The parental family consisted of eight children, 
of whom F'rank S. is the third in order of birth. 
His education was secured in the district schools 
near Highland, excepting a few months' attendance 
at the schools of New York State before he was of 
school age. His fourteenth jear was spent in the 
|)arochial school, at the ex|(iration of which period 
he was conlirmed in the Lutheran Church. After 
his school days ended, he remained with his father 
until he was twenty-two, and then hired out to a 
neighbor, with whom he remained seven years. 

November 13, 1877, Mr. Walter married Jose- 
phine, daughter of John and Katherine (Bueliler) 
Merone. The father, who was horn in Hah' Octo- 
ber 9, 1811, died at the home of our subject Au- 
gust 27, 1890. The mother, whose birth occurred 
in Canton Schwytz, Switzerland, April 1, 1825, 
passed from earth March 26, 1856. Mrs. Walter 
was born in Highland, Seiitemiier 20, 1854, three 
years after the advent of her parents in America, 
they coming at once to Highland. She was the 
third and is now the only survivor of a family 
consisting of three sons and one daughter. Two 
children blessed her marriage, only one of whom 
survives, Robert John, who was born June 9, 1884. 

After his marriage Mr. Walter rented land for 
ten yeais from his former employer, Mr. Grafen- 
reid. In the spring of 1888 he purchased his 
father's old farm and has since made it his home. 
At once after locating here he erected an attract- 
ive and commodious cottage, which is the abode 
of the family. He has also introduced other im- 
provements, and the farm ranks among the best 
in the county. As an agriculturist he is |)rogress- 
ive, capable and energetic, and the neat appear- 



46G 



PORTUAIT AKD IHOGRAnilCAL RECORD. 



ance of his place bespeaks his cnlerpiise and 
industry. 

Tlie religious (.•oiuioclioii.s of IMr. and Mrs. Wal- 
ter are with the Kvanjielical Church of lligliland. 
I'liliticallv 111' lias been a Ke|nililiean since casting 
his liist I'lesidential liallot for ( leneial (!iant. He is 
interested in educational niatteis and is now serv- 
ing his second leini as School Director. Socially 
he is identilied with the Tieubund, liclonging to 
lli<rliland Lod"'e Xo. G7. 



^ 



i ®. .^^^^. 



"DAM KL.Vr.S, Sh. It is universally con- 
ceded that our ha|)piness and well-being 

III li as individuals depend necessarily to a large 
extent uiion our own efforts, upon our 
self-denial and self-culture, and, above all, upon 
that honest an<l conscientious performance of duty 
whic-h is the true strength of manly character. 
Notwithstanding the limited advantages afforded 
him in youth, Mr. Klaus has become the owner of 
:i valuable farm pleasantly located in Lecf Town- 
ship, and is ranked among the well-to-do agricul- 
turists of Madison C'ount\'. In addition to three 
hundred and twenty acres on section ;?G, he is in 
(lossession of property in other parts of Madison, 
also in Bond Count3', the total acreage amounting 
to about nine hundred. 

Our subject was born m Ilochstadt, Bavaria, 
Germany, .lanuaiy 10, 1826, and is the son of 
Geoi'ge Klaus, a native of the same place, vvho 
emigrated to America in the fall of 1819. In Sep- 
tember, 1846, Adam and his brother .Inhn em- 
barked at Bremen on the brig " Legonia," an 
English ship. Two weeks were spent near New- 
castle, taking on a cargo of coal. The fii-st day in 
the English Channel a storm was encountered and 
the entire |)assage was one continuous round 
of tempesU) so that before New York was reached 



one hundred and ten days had elapsed since leav- 
ing Bremen. 

.\rriving in New York, Adam and .lohn secured 
work at their trade, that of furniture maker.s. 
They opened a shop of llieir own and continued 
for three years in the metropolis-, until the break- 
ing out of the cholera, when the}' sold their store. 
Leaving New York for California, they journeyed 
b}- way of Cape Horn and reached the land of gold 
eaily in December, 1811J, after a voyage of live 
and one-half months. During the entire trip they 
had landed but once, at Valparaiso, Chili. 

A few days before Christmas San Francisco was 
burned and our subject and his brother found 
work as carpenters, receiving *1(» per day. In the 
spring of l^aO they started for the southern mines 
but meeting with little success and times being 
very hard, they departed for the mines around 
S.acramento. The trip from San Francisco to the 
capital city w.is made in an open sail boat and 
consumed five days. The boat was so greatly 
overloaded with people ,18 to endanger the lives of 
all on board, and hoping to lessen the peril of the 
others, five |)assengers, including the two Klaus 
brothers, went ashore, intending to walk the re- 
maining distance. However, the brush was so thick 
that they were unable to proceed and were obliged 
to call for the boatman. While being conveyed 
to the sailboat in a skiff it capsized and the live 
nearly lost their lives by drowning The live days' 
journey' w.as a more perilous one b}' far than the 
five months' tri|) around the horn had been. 

Reaching .Sacramento the brothers proceeded to 
the south fork of the American River, near Sutter's 
mill, where gold was first discovered. At Dutch 
Flat (six miles below the point of the discovery of 
gold) they found but oi.c man, a fellow-country- 
man. There they managed to wash out llO to *15 
per day. In the southern mines the}' [laid fsoO for 
a washer that could be bought elsewhere for lifty 
cents. Provisions were so scarce that tH paid for 
onl}' enough to be carried in a handkerchief. 
They paid il for four potatoes; llour was im- 
|)orted from Chili and cost ^20 per hundred. 

After one year spent in California the brothers, 
having cleared about ¥:1, .")()() apiece, decided to re- 
turn to New York. From San Francisco they sailed 




NELSON MONTGOMERY. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



469 



to the istbimis, where they waited a week or more 
to secure passage. The steamer for New York 
being overcrowded, they took a schooner for New 
Orleans. A twelve hours' trip down the Chagres 
River cost them llO. The distance from the 
Pacific Ocean to the head of navigation on the 
Chagres River was traversed on foot in three and 
one-half days. On the schooner crossing the gulf 
all the passengers were taken down with the 
"climate fever." Provisions were scarce and all 
suflfered extremely on the ten days' [)assage to New 
Orleans. 

Remaining in New Orleans a week, until Adam 
had partially recovered from the fever, the broth- 
ers then took passage on the steamer "Alex Scott" 
for St. Louis, which place was reached in about 
two weeks, tlie passage being slower than usual on 
account of ice in the river above Cairo. Upon 
arriving in St. Louis they secured board at a house 
where for many weeks Adam lay very ill. On his 
recover}' they crossed over to Belleville, 111., where 
they purchased a farm and began country life. 
Here they lived for nine j'ears, and then selling 
the farm, Adam went to Springfield, 111., where he 
liel|)cd build Camp Butler. When his work was 
finished there he came to Madison County and 
purch.ased a piece of raw prairie, beginning the 
accumulation of his present large estate. 

In the spring of 1853 Mr. Klaus married Miss 
Jolianna Schmidt, a native of Nassau, Germany, 
who died .Jul}' 1, 1870. Of this union were born 
live cliildren, as follows: Edward; Adam, Jr.; John; 
Katherine, wife of Frank (Justcrman, living near 
Highland, and Louis, who resides at Collinsville. 
The three eldest sons are engaged in farming near 
the old homestead. In the spring of 1872 Mr. 
Klaus married Mrs. Kunie Kroder, from Cincin- 
nati, who by her first husband had three children. 
In religion Mr. and Mrs. Klaus are Catholics and 
attend the Oakdale and Saline churches. 

Politically Mr. Klaus is a Democrat. He has 
served as School Director, but has refused other 
offices, although often solicited to acce|)t nomina- 
tion. Soon after settling in Leef Township he 
planted an orchard of thirteen hundred trees and 
has since devoted especial attention to the fruit 
induslr}'. Each year he ships large quantities of 
20 



apples and eider, and is widely known for the ex- 
cellence of the latter. Of late years he has lived 
somewhat retired from active labor and in the 
evening of his years is enjoying the results of a 
life of energy and frugality. 



<^ 



=^>^ 



il^p^ELSON MONTGOMERY is one of the 
I jj leading farmers and stock-raisers of south- 
i\/i^ ern Illinois and has been especially noted 
as a raiser and owner of fine horses. Nowhere 
within the limits of Madison County can be found 
a man of more energy, ui)rightness and integrity 
than Mr. Montgomery, who was born on the old 
homestead in this county August 1, 1815. 

Tiie name of Montgomery is one which has 
been honorably connected with the history of this 
country. In looking over the history of the 
family we find that two brothers bj' that name 
came to America during the Revolution as British 
soldiers, but their sympathies were with the 
revolutionists and they resolved to make their 
cause their own and this country their future home. 
At the first opportunity they left the British 
cami)and enlisted in the American army and thence- 
forward fought bravely against British tyranny 
and oppression. One of these was Grandfather 
Thomas Montgomery. He was in the Continental 
army until the close of the war, and was present 
at Yorklown and saw the surrender of Lord 
Cornwallis with his army, the last great act in the 
seven years' struggle of the colonies for their in- 
dependence. 

Family history further relates that Thomas 
Montgomery was a cousin to General Montgomery, 
who commanded the hazardous expedition against 
Quebec and gained a reputation for gallantry and 
braver}' unexcelled by that of any other officer in 
service at the time of his unfortunate death. 
Thomas Montgomery settled in Virginia and 
afterwards migrated to the state of Kentucky. 
Our subject's father, William Montgomery, was 
born in Virginia Novcmlier 20, 1786, and at the 
time the family went to Kentucky was a boy ten 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORI). 



or fifteen years old. He was reared in Nelson 
Countj', Ky., and on reaching manhood deter- 
mined to move to a still newer country further 
west. In 1809 he went west to8l. Louis, Mo., where 
he made his home five years prior to his marriage. 
This event occurred in 1814, uniting him with 
Miss Sarah Rattan. The j'oung couple then came 
to Madison Count}', III., and located on a tract of 
land on Indian Creek, where were born their 
eleven children. Nelson, our subject, was the 
eldest child. He was rcaied to manhood on the 
old homestead, and when ready to establish a home 
of his own was united in marriage, March 22, 
1838, with Miss Eleanor Kinder, daughter of 
George and Isabelle Kinder, who were among the 
earliest and mo.«t respected citizens of Madison 
County. 

Like her husband, Mrs. Montgomery is a native 
of this county. By her marriage she has become 
the mother of eight children, of whom those living 
are: Ann M., who married Francis M. Wood; 
Nancy J., wife of John F. Jarvis; Mary Matilda, 
who married Henry C. Barnsback; Phoebe E., at 
home; Zeplianiah J., who married Lillie McKit- 
rick, now deceased, and Robert N., whose wife 
bore the maiden name of Maggie McKitrick. 
William T. and Sarah Isabel are deceased. 

Mr. Montgomery is recognized as one of the 
wealthy men of the county. His home farm, con- 
sisting of five hundred and seventy-three acres of 
finely cultivated land, lies within four miles of Ed- 
wardsville, the county seat. This and his other 
possessions in the county aggregate over a thou- 
sand acres. His home farm is now crossed by a 
railroad running from St. Louis to Marine, and a 
short distance from his residence are an elevator and 
station named Montgomery. Besides this splen- 
did estate he also owns a half-section in Coles 
Count}-, twelve hundred and forty acres in Bates 
County, Mo., and eight hundred acres in the state 
of Iowa. 

A man of wonderful activity and energ}', Mr. 
Montgomery's whole course in life has been char- 
acterized by sturdy industry and economy. One 
of his strong points has ever been to drive his 
business instead of letting it drive him, and now 
at the advanced age of seventy-nine years he is 



fully as active as many men thirty years bis 
junior. Many times in the busy season, when the 
sun has scarcely risen, he can be seen mounted on 
his favorite horse, riding over his estate and giving 
directions for the business of the day. 

In politics Mr. Montgomery is a stanch believer 
in an<l supjiorter of the principles of the Demo- 
cratic party. He is charitable, and the poor and 
needy ever find in him a true friend. His record 
is that of an honorable and upright man whose 
personal character has made him an iiilluonce for 
good in this county. So closely has he been 
identified with this township that in acquiring 
wealth he has enhanced its progress and con- 
tributed to its prosperity. 



-S]<"'?'^[= 



'l^, ROF. ROBERT ALLEN HAIGHT, Super- 
intendent of ttie public schools of Alton, 
r^ was born in Warren, Macomb County, 

) \ Mich., May 22, 1850, and is the son of 
Ahjiizo and Larissa C. (Hopkins) Haight. His 
father, a son of George W. Haight, was born in 
Cohocton, Steuben County, N. Y., May 3, ISOit, 
and w.as a farmer by occupation. About 18.31 he 
went to Michigan, and purchasing a'farin in Ma- 
comb County, eng.aged in tilling the soil until 
the spring of 1854, when he removed to Royal 
Oak, IMich. 

In the fall of 1857 he again moved, this time 
settling in Hillsdale, Mich., in order to secure bet- 
ter educational advantages for his children. In 
the spring of the following year he made another 
move for the same purpose, and purch.ased land 
near Ypsilanti, where he engaged in farming. In 
18G6 he went to Ovid, where for two years he en- 
gaged in the mercantile business. Disposing of 
his interest in the store, he bought a farm and re- 
sumed his former occupation, which he continued 
until his death in A|)ril, 1877. 

Politically a Republican, Alonzo Haight re- 
mained a stanch supporter of that part}' from the 
time of its organization until the date of his 
death. For many years he filled the position of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



471 



Justice of the Peace, and at times also served as 
Supervisor. An active, energetic man, lie was 
withal retiring, unassuming in (lemeanor and 
quiet in the operation of his plans. In religious 
belief he was a Baptist, and served as Deacon in 
that church, to which his wife also belonged. 

The motiier of our subject was born in Cazo- 
novia, N. Y., August 16, 1814, and died at Ypsi- 
lanti, Mich., in August, 1863. Her family num- 
bered five children: Solomon, Edward A., Alfred 
H.; Larelta, who married Rev. C. A. Hobbs, of 
Delavan, Wis.; and Robert A. All arc deceased 
except Robert A., the subject of this sketch. His 
elementary education was obtained in the public 
schools of Ypsilanti. In the fall of 1866 he en- 
tered Shurtleff College at Alton, 111., where he re- 
mained one 3'ear. Upon his return to Ovid, Blich., 
he assisted his father in his store for two years. 
In the fall of 1869 he again entered Shurtleff Col- 
lege, becoming a member of the sub-freshman class. 
At Christmas of the same 3'ear, he went to Colum- 
bia, Mo., and completed his sub-freshman course 
in the University of Missouri. 

The fall of 1870 found our subject again a stu- 
dent in Shurtleff College. In the spring of the 
following 3ear, three months before the close of 
the college term, he accepted the position as 
teacher in the State Street School, where he re- 
mained for three months. The next year he 
taught the colored school of Alton. Ke-entering 
Shurtleff College, he remained there until June, 
1875, when he was graduated. A few months 
later he accepted a position as Principal of the 
High School of Alton, which position he held five 
and one-half years. In 1881, at the expiration of 
that period, E. A. Ilaight resigned the superintend- 
encj' of the public schools, and our subject was 
appointed to fill the position. From that time to 
the present he has held the place bv successive 
appointments, which is a high compliment to his 
ability and worth as an instructor. He is thor- 
ough in his methods of instruction, endeavoring 
to develop all the latent powers of the pupil. 

August 25, 1875, at Laclede, Mo., Professor 
Haiglit married Gertrude C, daughter of Edward 
D. and .Sarah A. (Lewis) .Seward, both now de- 
ceased. Her father was a man of fine education 



and a graduate of Y'ale College. Four children 
comprise the famil3' of Professor and Mrs. Ilaight: 
Rettie C, Edward A., Lewis Seward and Robert 
A. In religious connections Mrs. Ilaight is identi- 
fied with the Congregational Church, while the 
Professor is a Baptist. Politicall3- he supports 
Republican principles, and socially is identified 
with the Knights of Honor. B3- nature, educa- 
tion aud training he is espcciall3' fitted for the 
position he now occupies. He is a man of good 
address, firm yet kind, and commanding the re- 
spect and confidence of teachers and pui)ils. Un- 
like many who hold similar positions, he has here 
his chosen field of labor, and to it he is devoted. 



'(_, ENRY SCHRUMPF. The life of a farmer 
ma.y be devoid of exciting events, but it 
is not the less an occupation in which to 
\l!§)j exercise good business abilit3' and sterling 
traits of personal character. These qualities have 
contributed to the financial success of the gentle- 
man above named, a well known agriculturist of 
Saline Township and the owner of a valuable farm 
consisting of one hundred and sixty acres. The 
land has been brought to a high slate of cultiva- 
tion and productiveness, and improved with a neat 
residence and adequate outbuildings. 

The Sclirumpf family is of German origin and 
our subject's father, Fred Sclirumpf, is one of the 
most prominent farmers of the western part of 
Madison County, as will be seen 113- referring to 
his sketch presented on another ij.age of this 
volume. Henr3' was born in Perry Count3', Mo., 
August 8, 1861, and at the age of three 3ears was 
brought b3- his parents to Madison Count3' in 
1864. The rudiments of his education were gained 
in the district schools of the home locality and the 
knowledge there obtained w.as su()plemented by 
attendance at the Marine schools, as well as by 
habits of close obseivation and thoughtful reading. 

Remaining with his |)arents until tnent3-one 
j'cars of age, Mr. Sclirumpf then took a trip 
through the western states, remaining for several 



472 



rORTRAIT AND BIOORAPllICAL RECORD. 



months and visitinj? Nebraska, Texas and other 
sU»lus. lie returned lioine lirni in the belief that 
there was no place like old Madison. Kor three 
years he operated land rented from his father, and 
by careful economy' was at last enabled to pur- 
chase pro|)erty. One of the most business-like 
young men in this part of the county, he has 
gained greater success than usually conies to one 
of his age. lie gives his attention cliietly to the 
raising of wheat and corn. His activity, keen 
foresight, tenacity of purpose and skill in carrying 
out his plans, have contributed to his prosperity', 
as well as the material development of Saline 
Township and likewise of Madison County-. 

In 1884 Mr. Schruinpf was united in marriage 
with Jliss Magdalena, daughter of Christian and 
Rosa (Iliischi) Tontz, who are among the most 
inQuential and [iroininent families of Saline Town- 
ship. Seven children have resulted from the 
union, but three of the number died when voung. 
Those who survive are: Lulu. Olga, Rosa and 
.Johanna. Together with his wife our subject is 
actively connected with the Lutheran Church at 
Grantfork and fur seven years he has been one of 
ts Directors, lie is not in any sense of the word 
a politician, but takes an .active interest in local 
affairs, and with the progressive clement of Saline 
Township is doing all that he can to elevate its 
social and moral status, and to coiitriljute to its 
general welfare. Ilis ballot is usually cast in 
favor of tlie principles of the People's party. He 
is interested in educational matters and has served 
as a member of the School Board for several years. 



eHARLKS FRKDKRICK SEPMKYER, who 
carries on general farming on section 4, 
Collinsvillc Township, is a worthy repre- 
sentative of the agricultural interests vf the com- 
munity and is a leading citizen who takes a prom- 
inent part in public aftairs and exei'ts a strong in- 
fluence over his fellow-townsmen. .\ native of 
Germany, he was born Se|)lember 1), 185(1, unto 
Henry and Anna Catherine (Fischer) Sepnieyer, 



being their j'oungest child. In 1851 the parents 
sUirted for the New World, crossing the Atlantic 
in a sailing-vessel which dropped anchor in the 
in the harbor of New Orleans in November. They 
first located in Evansville, Ind., and after a short 
time removed to St. Louis, there making their 
home from the latter part of 1852 until 18tj8. In 
Sei)tember of that year they removed to the farm 
on which our subject now resides, there living 
until 1874, when they returned to St. Louis, where 
their last days were spent. 

Charles V. Sepraeyer obtained his primary edu- 
cation in the parochial schools of St. Louis, and at 
the age of thirteen entered Concordia College in 
Ft. Wayne, Ind., where he pursued his studies for 
five years. On the expiration of that period he 
returned to Madison County, and remained with 
his parents until 1874, when lie purchased the 
farm from his father, who returned to St. Louis, 
and began the cultivation of the same, conducting 
it successfully since. He now has nunc than two 
hundred acres of as fine land as can be found in 
Madison County. A portion of it lies on the To- 
ledo, St. Louis it Kansas City Railroad, and the 
.Jacksonville .South-eastern and St. Louis it East- 
ern Railroads. His residence commands a lovely 
view of a large portion of the great American 
Bottoms. He is a general fanner, raising potatoes, 
wheat, corn and live stock. 

Mr. Sepmeyer was married November 28, 1872, 
to IMiss Lizzie Strathniniui, daughter of William 
and Louisa (Berghorn) Slialhmaiin, who were na- 
tives of Germany, but about 1851 crossed the 
briny deep to the New World. Mr. Stralhmann is 
now deceased, but his venerable wife is still living 
in Missouri. By the union of our subject anil his 
wife were born ten children, of whom erne died at 
the age of four years, while another passed awa}' 
when eight years of age. Those still living are: 
Louisa, wife of Chailes Maack, of Madison Coun- 
ty; .Julia, Frederick, William and Theodore, who 
are now in school at Pleasant Ridge; Clara, Henry 
and Chailes, wIkj are still with their parents. 

Mr. Sepnieyer and his family are members of 
the Lullieran CIniicli and are |)eople of prominence 
in this comniuiiity. holding a high positi<ni in so- 
cial circles. In politics our subject is a stalwart 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



473 




Democrat. He has served liis township as .Justice 
of the Peace for five years, and lias been its repre- 
sentative on the Board of Supervisors, but docs 
not seek public office. He is a leader, not a fol- 
lower in the community, and is a highly respected 
and esteemed citizen, who well deserves represen- 
tation iu the history of his adopted county. 



jM-O^-i^lig 



NTON .7. KRAFT, the genial host of 
the Windsor Hotel and proprietor of the 
Diamond Mineral Springs, was born in St. 
^ Louis, Mo., February 10, 1842. His fa- 

ther, Anton, was a native of AVestphalia, Prussia, 
born in 1795; his mother, whose maiden name was 
Eva Reichard, w.as born in the Rhenish province 
in 1796, and died in 1857. Coming to St. Louis 
in 1852, Anton Kraft was there married about 
1835. In that city he followed the trade of a 
cabinet-maker until about 1843, and then opened 
a saloon, which he conducted until 1855. Re- 
moving at tliat time to Leef Township, Madison 
County, he continued to operate a farm near the 
village of Saline until his death in 1858. 

The subject of this sketch gained his education 
principally in the Catholic parochial schools of St. 
Louis, in addition to which he attended the public 
schools a few months after coming to Madison 
County. Before attaining his majority he put in 
a crop on the Legget farm, working the place on 
the shares, and after harvest was ended he enlisted 
in tlie army. On the 3d of October, 1862, liis name 
was enrolled as a member of Battery E, Second 
Missouri Light Artillerj-. He served for thirty- 
two months, ten of which were spent in Camp Ford 
stockade, a rebel prison near Tyler, Smith County, 
Tex. On being released a fort}- days' furlough 
was granted, and just as the prisoners were about 
to proceed to the front an order came to discharge 
all who had been in prison, the war being then 
nearly closed. 

Among tlie battles in which Battery E was en- 
gaged may be mentioned tlic Little Missouri, Prai- 
rie De Hand, Poison Springs and Marks' Mill, 



Ark., where they were captured. On his return 
from the army our subject resumed farming and 
for fifteen years was engaged in that vocation. 
During eleven of tiiese years he ran a threshing 
machine. In the fall of 1879 he became the pro- 
prietor of the Mineral Springs Hotel, and this he 
conducted until March, 1892, when he exchanged 
places with S. Bardile, owner of the springs and 
the Windsor Hotel. Here he is conducting a 
health and summer resort with the springs as the 
principal attraction. 

Among the improvements to tlic hotel introduced 
by Mr. Kraft is that of a large bathing establish- 
ment, arranged in such a manner that guests do 
not have to go out of the house for a bath. He 
also built a large entertainment hall, 40x80, where 
guests have free use of a bowling allej', billiard and 
pool tables, and where every few evenings dancing 
is in order. When in season, hay rides are in order, 
and trips to neighboring farms where a barn dance 
is given are of frequent occurrence. Tlie guests 
are taken long drives through the adjoining 
country on moonlight evenings and arc given 
every entertainment in the power of their host. 
A large artificial lake has been constructed, where 
boats and fishing tackle areatthe command of the 
guests. 

Under the new management two large ice houses 
have been constructed, and a windmill and water 
works added to the comforts of the place. Near 
the lake is a small gristmill and cider press, and in 
the fall the rich juice of theapi)le is furnished the 
guest. Northwest of the hotel is a beautiful pic- 
nic grove where tables and other conveniences are 
provided for merry parties. Numerous gravel 
walks and drives have been made through the 
grounds, and a gravel walk across the stream and 
up to the.village postoiflce makes it convenient at 
all times to go to and from Windsor Park and the 
village store. A sun bath is to be one of the at- 
tractions of 1895. 

The waters of the spring are of the strictest 
purity, free from those animal and vegetable 
combinations with which some mineral waters are 
impregnated and which greatly reduce or entirely 
destroy their remedial value. The Diamond Min- 
eral water has been used with the best results iu 



474 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



tlio trpiitinont of many <lisi':isps and is liisjlily roc- 
onunontlotl l>y cxpi'i-U as one of tlio stmngcsl and 
most ellic'iont wators known for the cure of rlicu- 
malism, ncuraliria, paralysis, spinal disonlers, 
erysipelas, scrofula, chronic skin diseases, hlood 
poisoning, dyspejisia, catarrh of the stomach and 
other diseases. 

The spring h.is a natui-al llow, the water rising 
to witliin a few feet of the surface. Its lo<-ation 
is a very favoral)li- one, heing at the foot of a hill, 
near the site of a large stone quarry, so that its im- 
mediate surroundings are perfectly dry and free 
from all surface tu* drainage water. It was (luite 
accidentally discovered while boring for coal, and 
while the coal w.-vs never reached, in its stead this 
far more valual>le water was ft>und. The spring 
wasstruck at a depth of one hundred and forty feet 
l)elow the solid rocks, and the water immediately 
arose to within a few feet of the surface, thus giv- 
ing a supply that is i)raclically inexhaustible. 

The solid ingredients or medical constituents of 
the Diamond .Mineral Spring have been calculated 
for one pint or sixteen lluid ounces, and are rep- 
resented here in the same soluble state as they are 
contained in the spring when coming out of the 
earth. It contains in sixteen lluid ounces: 



l?i-cart>onate of soda 

15i-carlK.>nate of lime 

Bi-carbonate of magnesia. 
Hi-carbonate of iron 



<;r.iixs. 

2.7G50 

.7t)l3 

1.5448 

.0154 

Chloride of sodium 9(;.6462 

Sulphate of soda .5526 

Sulphate of potassa .3535 

Phospate of alumina .(>07'.> 

Silicic acid 0269 



Total solid ingredients 102.6145 

Free carbonate acid gas 2.2862 



104.9007 
On the 5th of March, 1867, Mr. Kraft married 
Magdelcna Mitvhler, who died in 1869. The two 
children lK>rn of this marriage also died. The 
second marriage of Mr. Kraft occurred November 
22, 1870, uniting him with Mary AnnelJross, who 
was born in New York, September 6, 1851, and is 
a daughter of Nichol.as tiross. Twelve children 
were born of their union, of whom ten survive, 



viz.: Nicholas. Maggie, Kniina. .Tolin, Annie, Pearl, 
Alvin, Mabel. Arthur ami lla/.el. 

In politics Mr. Kraft hixs voted with both of the 
great political parties, but at present support.-^ Ke- 
publican principles. While living in l.eef Town- 
ship he w.is Constable and Assessor for three years. 
During his resulence in .Saline Township he was 
Collector, Ct>nstable and Postiiiaster. Since his 
return to Leef Township he has been elected Jus- 
lice of the Peace. He has also olllciated .as Schot)l 
Director and School Tiiislee. .Socially he is a 
member of the Masonic order and luis advanced as 
high as tlie Royal Arch degree in tlie clia|)ter. llis 
memlH.M'slii[) is with the lodge at llighlaml. 



^I^la:*@l^l^ 




I.BKKT .JOHNSON TKAIKRNICHT is a 
prosperous farmer living on section 8, 
New Dougl.os Township, where he owns a 
tine farm of four hundred and eighty 
.acres, in addition to which he possesses ninety acres 
located in Olive Township. His birth occurred in 
Aurich-Oldendorf. Hanover, October 30, 1827. 
His father, John G., w.as a large land owner in the 
Old Country, and had it not been for the military 
law our subject would doubtless have never left 
his native land. The paternal grandfather, whose 
Christian name was Gerrald, was also a farmer in 
Hanover, living on land that had been in the fam- 
ily for more than two hundred years. Our sub- 
ject's mother w.as Motje T., daughter of Tennius 
J. Luetken. also natives of Hanover. 

In the fall of 1851, our subject, then in hi* twen- 
ty-fourth year, set sail for America, from Bremen, 
and after a voyage of nine weeks landed in New 
Orleans. Within half a day of leaving Bre- 
men the vessel was found to have six feet of water" 
m the hold and every active person w.as pressed 
into service to work at the pumps. The damage 
lieing rectified they prot-eeded on their way, but 
during a calm, off the Island of Cuba, the vessel 
took fire and for a time it seemed that all would 
be lost. Again, when only a night's run distant 
from the sight t>f land, a violent storm arose which 
raged for three days disabling the vessel so greatly 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



475 



tliiit it was three weeks ere tliey reached their dos- 
tinalidii. Onl^' two da>s were passed by our sul)- 
ject in the Crescent City, as he proceeded at once 
by tiie way of the river to St. Louis. From tiiat 
point he wrote to a brother-in-law, wiio lived 
near Lebanon, 111.; hearing notiiing from him he 
started on foot, l)ut met his kinsman at the bluffs 
on his wa}' to meet liim. Returning for his bag- 
gage, they then proceeded to his sister's home. 

The lirst winter spent by Mr. Trauernicht in Illi- 
nois was ]«ssed in cvitting ties for the railroad 
and in tiie following spring he rented land and 
began farming operations. In the meantime he 
worked for others during siiort periods, saving 
wliat he earned and in this way laying tiic foun- 
dation for iiis present fortunes. lie rented land 
near Lebanon until 1864, when he purchased his 
present farm, and has remained here ever since. 
When at Lebanon old Scjuire Nichols, liking the 
sturdy appearance of the young German, of- 
fered him the old homestead on shares, but friends 
dissuaded him from this move. After five years' 
experience on a smaller farm, however, our subject 
took the Nichols farm and began operations on a 
larger scale. When he decided to remove thence 
the old Squire, disliking much to part with 
his thrifty tenant, offered him a life lease if he 
would remain, but with true independence he de- 
sired to possess his own soil and thus became a 
resident of Madison County. 

The marriage of our subject and Miss Johanna 
J. Kieser was celebrated in the winter of 1852. 
One child was born to them, but both the mother 
and child are now deceased. On January 9, 1865, 
Mr. Trauernicht wedded Mary IL, daughter of 
Ilabba Buhr, a native of Hanover. They have 
nine children, as follows: Johanna, Mary, John, 
Katie, Katrina, Anna, ISIollie, Ilobbie A. and 
Mina, the two latter making their home under the 
parental roof. The eldest of the family is de- 
ceased; Mar}' first married John Weber, and after 
his death became the wife of Fred Gurrels; John 
is engaged in farming near his father's homestead; 
Katie is Mrs. William Hosto; Katrina is the wife of 
John Pollers; Anna married Diedrich Ilueschen; 
and Mollie became the wife of John Hobbie. 

Our subject's first purchase of land was made 



in 1864; it was a tract of one hundred and twenty 
acres, forty of which were in timber. In the fol- 
lowing spring he removed to his possession. 
Within three months of the date of his purciiase, 
land had so increased in value that the former 
owner offered him !5!1,000 to cancel the bargain, 
but Mr. Trauernicht would not accept. Since the 
campaign of 1860 he has supported the Repub- 
lican party. A number of times he has served in 
township offices several terms, being on the Coun- 
ty Board, and for over twenty years was School 
Director. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
in which faith the children have all been reared. 
The mother, who was also a Lutheran, and who 
was born August 24, 1829, was called from this 
life July 9, 1876. 



(^ 



.p^wm^^, 



L':r 



:£) 



^ 



"if/ OHN GREEN. One of the valuable farms 
of Leef Township is situated on sections 29 
and 32, and consists of one hundred and 
sixty-one acres of highly cultivated land. 
Since coming to this place in the spring of 1881 
Mr. Green has introduced many improvements, 
including all the accessories of a model estate. 
The family residence is a comfortable and sub- 
stantial two-story structure, furnished in a manner 
indicative of the refined tastes of the inmates. 
There are also a number of outbuildings adapted 
to their varied uses. 

The owner of this fine property is a Prussian by 
birth, having been born in the city of Kreuznach 
January 12, 1840. He is the son of Kaspar and 
Susanna (Lang) Green, both Prussians, the former 
born in Bretzenheim in 1817 and the latter a na- 
tive of Kreuznach, born about the year 1818. 
Kaspar Green is still living, a resident of his na- 
tive country, but the mother has long since passed 
from earth. Our subject's maternal grandfather 
bore the name of John Lang, and was a lifelong 
resident of Kreuznach. 

Between the jears of six and fourteen John 



i7(; 



PORTRAIT AND UIOGRAPIIICAL RKCORI). 



Green alleiulcd the pftiocliial school, and being a 

lad of unusual (iiiickncss ;iiid the iloplli of tlionght 
ho was well advanced in his studies wlioii his 
school days ended. He then learned the trade of 
a tailor, at which he was employed wlicn he set 
sail for Anx'riea in March, \i<f)~. Without kind- 
reil or friends he embai-ked at Havre, France, on a 
three-mast vessel, "The Old Adam." The voyage 
lasted eifjhty-scven da^'s, during which they were 
twice becalmed for seven or eight days. About 
the 12th of May they landed at New Orleans. 

Kcmaining in the Crescent City but one day, 
our subject boarded a river steamer and after a 
voyage of six days Landed in St. Louis. From 
that city he pioceedcd direct to .Madison County, 
111., where he had an uncle living near Highland. 
For a number of years he worked in tiie employ 
of that relative, meantime gaining a thorough 
knowledge of farming. At the age of about 
twenty he rented a f.irin and for two years there- 
after boarded with his uncle while operating the 
rented property. 

When in his twenty-third year Mr. Green was 
united in marriage with Miss F^iizabeth Lembacli, 
their wedding being solemnized .July 17, 18()2, at 
the home of the groom's uncle near Highland. 
Mi-s. Green was born August 1, 1841, in the vil- 
lage of Kges, Canton (Jraubuenden, Switzeiland, 
and by her marriage has become the mother of 
twelve children. They are: F]lizabeth (deceased), 
Mary, .John and Louisa (twins), Paulina, Charles, 
Kdward, George, Kmma K., Lydia (deceased), 
Anna S. and Matilda R. 

For the three years succeeding his marriage our 
subject rented land, after which he purchased 
sixty acres in Saline Township, three miles north- 
east of Highland. On that place he made his 
home until 18K1, removing thence to the farm he 
had purchased in 1880. As above stated, this 
estate is under good cultivation, and its attractive 
appearance proves the thrift of the owner. 

In religious belief Mr. and Mrs. Green advocate 
the doctrines of the Methodist Kpiscopal Church, 
but that denomination having no place of worship 
in the neighborhood, they attend the Fvangelical 
Church at (irantfork. In polities our subject has 
been a Republican ever since his advent in 



America and that party has no more loyal sup- 
porter than he. His interest in educalional mat- 
ters is well known and for eighteen years he has 
served with elhciencv as Director of Schools. 



Sal4»l"l^!«l« 



r^cT 



OllX .). N'OLLINTINE, a retired farmer re- 
siding in New Douglas, was born in Bond 
County, some five miles from his present 
home, May 10, 18.'?o. He is theson of William 
and .Sophie (Sugg) Vr)llintine, natives of Tennes- 
see. Hardy ^'ollintinc, the father of William, 
was born in the Ke3stone State, while his father 
hailed from Ireland. The Sugg family were also 
early .settlers of Pennsylvania. 

William Vollintine emigrated to this state in 
the .year 1817, accompanied by his wife and six 
children. Of his three marri.ages he became the 
father of twenty-three children. In the second 
family, of which our subject was the sixth in 
order of birth, the household included eleven 
children, of whom four are living: our subject, his 
brothers .lames and Columbus, and his sister Leli- 
tia,the wife of Stewart Ridgeway,of Rond County. 
The education of John J. w.is carried on in the 
log school house, and his vacations were spent in 
working on his father's farm. When reaching 
his twenty-fifth year he left home and began cul- 
tivating the soil on his own account, continuing 
in that occupation until retiring from active life 
about ten years ago. He is the |)roud possessor 
of nearly three hundred broad acres, the 0|)era- 
tion of which he superintends. Since moving 
into New Douglas, Mr. \'ollintinc's family had an 
exciting experience in a cyclone, which occurred 
during church service. The man who occupied 
the seat next to our subject was Rev. Ilenrj' 
Young, and on reaching home he found his wife 
and daughters under the ruins of the house, un- 
injured other than a l)roken arm, but badly fright- 
ened. 

November 17, 1801, Mr. \"ollintiue was niarrie<l 
to Miss Alice K., daughter of Hudson and Elvira 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



477 



(Jackson) Watson, natives of New York, in which 
state Mrs. Vollintine was horn November 17, 
1844. She was the fourtli in order of birth 
of the parental family of five sons and tiiree 
daughters, and with tliem removed to Illinois in 
1860, locating- in Bond County, where she met 
and married our subject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Vollintine having no children, 
they adopted a cliild named Emma, whose family 
is not known by them. They are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which also belongs 
Eninin, now the wife of 11. F. Livesey, whose 
sketch apiioars on another page in this volume. 
Our subject is now in the nineteenth year of his 
service as Township Treasurer, and for many years 
has been Trustee of his church. In politics he has 
been a Republican since 1860, having cast iiis first 
vote for .lames Buchanan, which was enough of 
Democracy for him. He well remembers the joint 
debate between Lincoln and Douglas in Green- 
ville during the campaign of 1860. The eloquence 
of Mr. Lincoln was so great that unconsciously 
our subject rushed upon the speaker's stand to 
grasp the hand of tlie apostle of Republicanism. 
His faith in the party is still as strong as ever. 




^11 LBERT KLEINER is justly considered 
WmM one of the best farmers of the county', and 
the passing stranger least acquainted with 
the merits of farm lands will decide that 
his property is one of the best in Saline Township. 
He has charge of the Kleiner homestead, for manj- 
years the home of his father, and in addition to 
the portion thereof inherited b3' him, he is the 
owner of one hundred and eighty acres of fertile 
land in Bond County. Upon the home farm first- 
class buildings liave been erected and every por- 
ion of the place is sul)ject to careful and orderly 
control. 

Upon the farm where he now lives the subject 
of this sketch was born October 27, 1859. He is 
of Swiss descent, both his father .Jacob and grand- 



father Daniel Kleiner having been born in Switzer- 
land. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and 
reared two sons, Jacob and Samuel, both of whom 
came to Madison County and engaged in agricult- 
ural pursuits here until their demise. Jacob emi- 
grated to this country with his parents in youth, 
having prior to that time gained a good education 
in the schools of his native land. After coming 
to this country he married Miss Wilhelmina, 
daughter of Christopher Menz and a native of 
Germany, who came to Madison County with her 
parents. 

Locating in Saline Township Jacob Kleiner pur- 
chased one hundred acres comprising a portion of 
the present homestead. To the original tract he 
subsequentl}' added by purchase about one hundred 
and thirty acres and gave his attention to the cul- 
tivation of the land until his death. Though 
having but few opportunities in youth, by pluck, 
push and preseverance he gained a handsome prop- 
erty and a comfortable competence which enabled 
him to spend his latter days in e.ise. His death oc- 
curred here in 1892, at the age of sixty-five years. 
In religion he and his wife were identified with 
the German Lutheran Church, in which he held 
official positions. He was not an olliee-seeking 
politician, but was an earnest advocate of the Re- 
publican partj' and an ardent worker in its in- 
terests, lie served his Township as Highwa3' 
Commissioner for four or five years. 

Since the death of Mr. Kleiner, his widow has re- 
mained on the home farm, and some of her children 
are still with her. There were ten in the family, 
as follows: Hermina, who is at home; Albert; 
Louis, who married Catherine Kaeser; Jacob, de- 
ceased; Eliza, widow of Frank J. Plocher; Emily, 
who died in childhood; Louisa, wife of Adolph 
Iberg; Emma, Robert and Matilda, at home. 
Albert has spent his entire life on the home farm, 
and in boyhood received the advantages of the 
district schools as well as the public schools of 
Highland. Since the death of his father he has 
suj)ei intended the mangeraent of the estate, the 
excellent condition of which proves his superior 
ability. 

In his social connections Mr. Kleiner is identi- 
fied with the Modern Woodmen of America, be- 



ITH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



I(>iii;iii5,' to the lodj^ at Highland. He lias alwaj's 
fiiUilled tlip duties of citizciisliii) inlelligently and 
loyally. In politics he is closely identified with 
the Ueiuihlicans and exercises his elective franchise 
in favor of tliat ticket. In 1889 he was elected 
Assessor of .Saline Township, in which capacity he 
has since served with snccess. In his course as a 
faiiner he has displayed those traits of persever- 
ance, foresight and business tact that are necessary 
to the successful prosecution of any calling. His 
cxcflient (pialities of head and heart have gained 
him a warm place in the hearts of his neighbors 
and nUier friends. 



•^1 



^@;e 



1^ 



<r«l IfeESLEY W. DUNCAN, M. D., a successful 
\rJf physician of New Douglas, was born near 
W'^ ^'l'- t)livc, Macoupin County, this stale. 
December 4, 1840. Ho is the son of Andrew T. 
and Sarah J. (Strickland) Duncan, natives respec- 
tively of North Caiolinaand Oeorgia. The pater- 
nal grandfather of our sultject was .John Duncan, 
also a native of North Carolina, while his father, 
William Duncan, was probably a native of Virginia 
and of Scotch descent. His wife, I'ly Kilyan, was 
born in North Carolina of German parents. 

The mother of our subject was born April 25, 
1822, ami departed this life September 12, 1877. 
She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth 
(Hampton) Stricklantl, natives of Georgia. John 
Duncan and his brother Nathan came toM.aeoupin 
County in 1823, when Andrew T. was a lad of five 
years. He was born November 2, 1818, and the 
event is celebrateil each year at his home in Litch- 
field. 

Our subject attended the district school, and un- 
til altiiining his twentieth year remained on the \ 
home farm. August 12, 18G1, he enlisted in the 
Union army as a mcniber of Company L, Third Illi- 
nois C'avaby, under Ca|)t. I). R. Sparks, of Alton, 
serving his country- faithfully and well for over 
three years. With his regiment he participated in 
the Missouri campaign the first year. Later, while 



on the v/ay from Arkansas uf) the river, he formed 
a part of Curtis' lost army, which was cut off 
from all communication for six weeks, during which 
time they were constantly harassed by the enemy. 
On emerging from the wilderness, the command 
proceeded to Vicksburg, where they took part in 
the siege, which lasted for forty-seven da3's. After 
participating in the engagements following the 
fall of N'ickshurg, the regiment was transferred to 
the Department of the Gulf under Gen. C. C. 
Washburn, fighting two battles in western Louisi- 
ana. Then, together with nine other orderlies, Mr. 
Duncan was transferred to another command; they 
crossed the gulf toTex.as, and marching some sixty 
miles up the coast, took Ft. Esperanza. 

From Texas they returned to Louisiana and 
joined their regiment at Port Hudson. Thence 
they went to Memphis, where the troops remained 
until September, when the}' were discharged and 
mustered out at Springfield September 5, 1864. 

Our subject's father, Andrew T. Duncan, also 
served in the war as Captain of Compan}' I, One 
Hundred and Twonty-secoiid Illinois Infantry, to- 
gether with his brothers, Absalom R. and Allen Y. 
Mr. Duncan resided upon the farm for a ^-ear after 
his term of service expired at the end of which time, 
November 2, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary 
A., daughter of Zebulon and Mary (Hale) (Jarn- 
son, natives respectively of Cieorgia and East Ten- 
nessee. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were born seven chil- 
dren, of whom six survive, namely: Francis E., 
Ida A., Lulu J., Jay Mac, Myrtle Ethel and Will- 
iam Z. Charles Edgar died December 12, 18;);5. 

Dr. Duncan and his wife are members of the 
Methodist Chuicli, willi which they have been con- 
nected for a (piarler of a century. The Doctor is 
connected with the Masonic fraternity, holding 
membership witii the lodge in Winlield, Iowa. 
The five years succeeding his marriage he oper- 
ated a farm, and with the money thus obtained at- 
tended the American Medical College at St. Louis, 
and at the end of the course opened an oHice nine 
miles south of Nokomis, Montgomery- County. 
In 1877 he returned to college in order to com- 
plete his medical studies and was graduated May IC, 
1878. A year later he reinovetl to Jit. Union, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



479 



Hemy County, Iowa, where lie remainefl only a 
twelvemonth. 

Returning fiom that state in 1880, Dr. Duncan 
located in New Douglas, where by his proficiency 
he has built up a good practice. In politics our 
subject is and always has been a Republican. As 
would be expected from an old soldier, he is a 
prominent Grand Army man, belonging to Doug- 
las Post No. 67U. 



JOSEPH WAGNER, the owner of valuable 
farming projjcrty in Madison and Bond 
Counties, and a well known agriculturist of 
Saline Township, was born on his father's 

homestead in this township, February 27, 1855, 
being the son of Fiauz M. and Ellen (Knebel) 
Wagner. His father, a native of Germany, was 
born in jNIingelslieim, March 17, 1817, and is the 
son of Joseph W. and Katherine (Weigen) Wag- 
ner, natives respectivelj' of Roedingsheim and 
Mingelsheim, Germany. 

Franz M. was the eldest of seven children born 
to his parents. His childhood and school days were 
S|)ent in his native village, and from the lime of 
his connrmalioii at the age of fifteen until he was 
twenty-three he was employed at the wagon- 
maker's trade in the Old Country'. Leaving home 
in March, 1841, he went to Bremen, and there was 
obliged to wait two months for the vessel on 
which he had prepaid passage. Others who had 
not done so took passage in other ships and con- 
sequently' reached the New World much sooner 
than he did. 

Arriving in New York, Mr. Wagner proceeded 
from there to Ohio and was eraplo)'ed for a year 
and a-half at a salary of ^i per month and board. 
He then came to Illinois and sojourned for a short 
time in Madison County. Later going to Wis- 
consin he was employed as a carpenter, thence re- 
turned to Highland and from there went to Van- 
dalia, where he worked on the railroad. With his 
earnings he was enabled to purchase a farm after 



two years' work. On his return to Madison County 
he began the accumulation of land, which at one 
time aggregated many hundred acres. Since then 
he has divided with his children, retaining for his 
own use enough to keep him in comfort. 

About 1857 Mr. Wagner married Miss Helena 
Gable, and to them were born five sons and one 
daughter, namely: Joseph; John and Leopold, who 
live in l>ond County; Carl and Henry, living in 
Madison County; and Katherine, who is married 
and lives near Grantville. In religious belief Mr. 
and Mrs. Wagner are Catholics, and politically he 
is a Democrat, as are also his sons. Joseph, our 
subject, remained with his parents until attaining 
manhood 3'ears, meantime receiving a fair educa- 
tion in the German schools. At the age of twenty- 
three he married Miss Ann Frey, a native of Mad- 
ison County, born in 1858. Her parents, John 
and Briska Frey, were born in Germany, but came 
to America prior to their marriage. Our subject 
and his wife are the parents of six children, as 
follows: Josephine, Ellen, Adolph, Amelia, John 
and Rosa. 

Until 1893 our subject rented property of his 
father, who during the latter year gave him one 
hundred and fifty acres in Saline Township and 
ninety acres in Bond County. While he devotes 
his attention largely to the raising of cereals, lie 
also makes a specialty of the stock business, in 
which he has met with llattering success. In his 
religious belief he is identified with the Catholic 
Church at Saline, in which he is an active worker. 
In his political views he is a Democrat. 



'^TjOHN GEHRIG, a well-to-do farmer residing 
on section 5, Leef Township, is the owner 
^j;;j^ of an extensive and valuable farm which he 
^^f) has placed under fine cultivation. He is a 
practical and progressive agriculturist, and to his 
own business cpialities owes his success in life. 

Peter Gehrig, the father of our subject, was born 
in Bavaria March 26, 1802, and on arriving at 
man's estate he married Helena Pergemeyer, who 



■180 



PORTKAIT AND RIOGRAPniCAL RKCORD. 



wns born in Bavnrin in 1800. Tlieir five oliildren 
were lH»rn in Havarin, the birlii of our subject <x;- 
currinij in Zeiskam Septenilier 2, 1841. Tlic fatlier 
departed this life .\ugust 'iil, 18(>0, at his home- 
stead in Alhanil)ra Townsliii), and the mother's 
deatii occurred .Inly '21, 1871. 

John Oerhig is tiie youngest of iiis father's fam- 
ily, of which besides himself only two brothers 
now survive. In the latter part of April, 18;>7, 
the family left their native land, embarking early 
in May on a sailing-vessel at Havre, France. Af- 
ter a voyage of about thirty days they arrived at 
New York City. In that metropolis some ten days 
were |)assed in visiting old friends, and then the 
family proceeded on their w.iy to St. Louis, where 
they remained while the father went to see about 
buying suitable land. He purchased property three 
miles west of Alhambra which was known as the 
old Thui-ston farm. 

The principal education of our subject w.is ob- 
tained in the old schools of hisnative land, as he Jeft 
15avaria at about the .age of fifteen years. How- 
ever, to assist him in the language of the country-, 
he attended the district schools for about two 
yeai-s. At the age of eighteen, his f.ither having 
died, .lohn Gehrig found it necessary to set 
about making his own livelihood. The first winter 
he hired out at farm labor, and the following 
spring rented land to l)egin farming for himself. 
He also traded to some extent in livestock. When 
a year had elapsed, after llm death of the senior Mr. 
Gehrig, the mother divided the farm between her 
four sons. Our subject bought out one of his 
brothers, securing half the estj\te of sixty .icres. 
A year later he sold this land and purch:ised a farm 
comprising twice that number of acres, and from 
time t<i time he has since increased the Ixnindaries 
of his farm until he now owns seven hundred .teres 
of valuable prairie land. 

.John (Jehrig married, on .lanuary 3, 18r>'2, Eliza 
C, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (IIuIhm-) 
Leutweilcr. The lady was born in Marine Town- 
ship, this counly. March 3, 1813, on the farm her 
father had entered of the Government. Mr. and- 
Mrs. (iehrig have become the parents of nine chil- 
dren, eight of whom are living: Mina, wife of I. 
A. Oliver, a harilware merchant of New Douglas; 



Anna M., wife of G. F. Wisegarver, a farmer of 
Douglas County, 111.; Rosa S., wife of O. E. E.i- 
towski, a merchant of New Douglji-s; Samuel E., 
Otto .1., Ida E , Stella A., and Arthur G. Clara is 
deceased. Mrs. Gehrig is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. 

For years our subject has been Director of 
Schools and interested in the cause of educiition. 
For eight years, during which time he also c(Uitiii- 
ued his farming operations, he owned and oper- 
ated a dry goods and hardware store in Alhambra. 
He w.ts nominated to the position of .histice of the 
Peace while on the Grand Jury and was elected. 
He was again nominated to the position but de- 
clined. In politics he is a Democrat, but has a cer- 
tain leaning toward the Populist party. In his so- 
cial relations he is a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternit.v. 

' ^ jS P • 



^^UDOLPII MIELEER, 
ll>f voung men of Leef 'I 



one of the rising 
Township, is an agri- 
culturist who combines independence and 
'^^self-reliance with energy, and with these 
qualities he will undoubtedly make a success of 
whatever he undertakes. He was born in the city 
of New Orleans, I,a.. February 1.'), 185;i, and is the 
son of Rudolph and Mary (Lutwiller) Mueller, 
natives of Switzerland, who were brought to this 
counti}' by their respective parents in childhood. 
They were married in Highland, Madison County, 
III., where the father was eng.iged in farming pur- 
suits. Soon after his marriage he nn)ve(l to New 
Orleans, where he operated renteil land until his 
death in 1800. 

After the death of her husband, our subject's 
mother returned to Highland with her children, 
and here she died two years later. At that time 
the eldest of her children, Rudolph, w.as twelve 
years of age. The others were: Sophia, now the 
wife of Frank Rossier; Emma, Mrs. Henry Mill- 
henry, deceased; and William. The orphaned chil- 
dren, left penniless and alone, were early obliged 
to t>egin life's struggles. Their lot was a hard one. 
The oldest ones were hired out to farmei-s, recciv- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



481 



iiij; ill return for tlieir services tlieir board and 
clutlies. The youngest were cared for by relatives 
until they attained an age sufficient to admit of 
their earning their own livelihood. 

Taken into the home of strangers, and obliged 
to work for his Ijoard and clothes, it may readily 
be understood that our subject had no educational 
advantages whatever. The privileges now accorded 
the bo^s and girls never fell to his lot. From early 
boyhood he was self-supporting, and continued to 
work in the employ of others until his marriage. 
That iini)ortaiit event occurred in 1886 and united 
him with IMiss Louisa, daughter of Daniel and 
Maria (Rlarguth) Ruedy, of whom further mention 
is elsewhere made. The}' have been blessed by 
four children: Alice, Alvin, D.aniel and Maria. 

For seven jears after his marriage Mr. Mueller 
operated a rented farm south of Saline, and from 
that place he removed to his present location, on 
section 2G, where he has control of about one hun- 
dred acres belonging to his father-in-law. As a 
citizen he is always on the side of every social and 
moral reform; as a neighbor he is kind; and as a 
friend, stanch and true. In his political o[)inions 
he is a Republican. His religious connections, as 
also those of his wife, arc with the Protestant 
Church of Saline. 



"•"n*"?*^**"^"^*" 



> m i « I < II , » .m i m 




REDERICK IHRSCHI, a farmer residing 
on section 11, Saline Township, owns five 
hundred and fifty acres of land. His has 
been a busy and useful life. He came to this 
countr}' without means, but depending upon his 
own resources, he has steadil}' worked his way up- 
ward, overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in 
his path, and making his way gradually to a posi- 
tion of affluence. 

In Canton Berne, .Switzerland, our subject was 
born October 20, 1839. His father, Christian 
Hirschi, was born in the same canton in 1814, and 
both in the Old and New Worlds followed the 
occupation of a farmer. Leaving Switzerland in 
May, 18.50, they proceeded to Havre, France, 



where they embarked for America. After a voy- 
age of forty or forty-live days they landed in 
New York, whence a few days afterward tlicy 
started westward. By rail and canal the3' trav- 
eled to Buffalo, thence by lake to Chicago, remain- 
ing in the latter cit3' a few days. From Chicago 
to St. Louis the trip was made via the Illinois 
Canal and river, and the Mississippi. From St. 
Louis they journeyed by wagon to Highland, III., 
where they had friends. 

After having rented land for one year. Chris- 
tian Hirschi entered a tract of one hundred and 
sixty acres on sections 13 and 14, of Saline T6wn- 
ship. In 1872 he removed from that place to 
Highland, where his death occurred November 
14, 1885. His wife, whose maiden name was Mag- 
dalena Stocker, was born in Canton Berne about 
1815, and died in Highland May 11, 1881. Their 
family consisted of ten children, of whom Fred 
was the fourth in order of birth. His education 
was received in the schools of his native country, 
as there were no schools in this wild prairie state 
at the time of the coming of the Hirschi family. 

Until his twentj'-first year our subject remained 
with his father, helping him on the home place 
and gaining a thorough knowledge of the way 
in which a farm should be conducted. For the 
succeeding four years he was variously employed, 
and for some time was employed on the steam- 
boats plying the Mississii)pi from St. Louis to New 
Orleans and ui) to .St. Paul, and also up the Mis- 
souri to Omaha. While in this way he was enabled 
to see much of the world, he was not satislicd with 
such an existence, and returning to Madison Coun- 
ty, rented his father's farm for two years. In 
1867 he purch.ased the land where his home now 
stands. To this he has added until his estate has 
reached its [)iesent large t)roporlions. 

.Tune 15, 1869, Mr. Hirschi married Miss Louisa, 
daughter of Charles Rickher, who died during 
the cholera scourge in 1854. Mrs. Hirschi was 
born in Saline Township April 15, 1850, and by 
her marriage has become the mother of eleven 
children, of whom the following survive: Fdward, 
Robert J., Louisa M., Emily A., Bertha II., Charles 
W. and Mary R. The deceased were Frederick .1., 
Charles, Henry and Mary. Mrs. Hirsciii is a mem- 



482 



I'OR'J'RAIT AM) IJIOOKiVPIIICAL KECOKD 



ber of the Catbolic Cliurcli at Pierron. In politics 

our subjci-l is a Ixcpiiblican, but not a strict party 
man, voting for llic fundidalc whom he thinks 
best (|iialiliei1 for the ollicc. lie lias never desired 
nor iK'cn willing to accept oflice, and with the ex- 
ception of having served as School Director for 
his district, has refused loc^l i)osition» of ever}" 
nature. In 1890 he took quite an extended trip 
through New Mexico, Oregon, California, Wash- 
ington, Idaho, I't-ih, Wyoming, Colorado and 
Kansas. 



^j^^ICIIOLA.S AMBUKIIL. Prominent among 
I l/J ^''C native-born sous of Madison Count}- we 
il\i^ mention the name t)f Mr. Ambuehl, a well 
known agriculturist of Saline Township. His es- 
tate, pleasantly situated on section 20, consists of 
one hundred and eighty acres of highly cultivated 
lancl in addition toa thirty acre tract of timber laud. 
This has been his life-long home and here he was 
born on the 17th of .September, 1847. 

Heferring to the histt>ry of the family, we find 
that our subject's paternal grandfather, Nicholas 
Ambuehl, w.is born in Canton Graubuenden, Swit- 
zerland, aliout 1775. He came to America some 
years after his son, and at the advanced age of 
eighty years died on the home farm about 1855. 
The grandmother died in the C)ld Countr}-. Our 
subject's father, also named Nicholas and famil- 
iarly known :is" Nick" was likewise a native ofCan- 
ton Graubuenden, Switzerland, his birth having oc- 
curred in January, 1807. In 1836 he emigrated to 
America and two years later settled on section 20, 
Saline Township, Madison County, where our sub- 
ject now resides. ; 

In 1812 Nicholas Ambuehl married Margaret 
Kaufman, a native of Canton Graubuenden, born 
January 13, 1821. This lady still survives, making | 
her home with a daughter, Mrs. Sebastian Wolf, in 
F.aye'tte County. The parental family consisted of 
seven children, of whom five survive, Nichol.is be- \ 
ing the second in order of birth. His entire life 
having been spent in this township, he has been a i 
witness of its development and has aided in its | 



material progress. Prior to the establishment of 
free schools his father had a private tutor in the 
house, and later he continued his studies in the 
public schools of the district. In youth he re- 
mained at home, giving bis time and labor to his 
widowed mother. 

Tlie marriage of Mr. Ambuehl occurred Decem- 
ber 21, 1871, and united him with Miss Kmily, 
daughter of Jacob and Anna K. (Zimmerman) Fre}', 
natives of liaden, Germany, who emigrated to 
America in 1850. Mrs. Ambuehl was born in High- 
land, III., August 8, 1852, and was the second in 
order of birth among four children. She has be- 
come the mother of six children, of whom .Vlina 
M. and Klla J. are deceased. The survivors are, 
Edward N., iMalilda K., Ida K. and Louisa L. In 
religious connections our subject and his wife are 
identified with the Evangelical Church of High- 
land. 

All enterprises having for their object the pro- 
motion of the interests of the peoi)le receive from 
Mr. Ambuehl the most cordial support, and he is 
one of the public-spirited citizens of the com- 
munity. Politically he has always adhered with 
unswerving loyalty to the principles of the Repub- 
lican party, and never fails to cast his ballot in 
support of its men and measure*. Upon that 
ticket he has been elected to a number of local 
otlices, in all of which he has served with efficiency 
and success. For twelve years he h.as filled the po- 
sition of School Director and has also served as 
Highway Commissioner for three years. 



]^-^ 



(^=a= 



^ 



GUN J. MCLLOY. Of the citizens whom 
Ireland h.as furnished to .Madison County 
none are more worthy of representation in 
this volume than the gentleman above 
named, who is a substantial and prominent farmer 
of Lcef Township. He was born in County Mayo, 
Ireland, December 15, 1845, l)cing a son of John 
and Hridget (Kellcy) Mulloy, likewise natives of 
County M.ayo. The maternal grandparents were 
William and Ellen (Morau) Kelley, whose ances- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



483 



tors were among the old and honored residents of 
tlie county. 

In youth John Mullo3', our subject's father, re- 
ceived good common scliool advantages, and 
choosing a life occupation engaged in the tilling 
of the soil. Emigrating to the Uuited States in 
1858 he settled with some of his children in IMad- 
ison County, where his death occurred the same 
year. His wife died in 1869. Their family con- 
sisted of the following named children: William, 
deceased; Patrick, a resident of Missouri; John J.; 
Peter, living in Madison County; Michael, de- 
ceased; Anna, wife of William Schafer, of Madison 
County; Ellen, who first married Joiin Carroll and 
later became the wife of Patrick Ryan, of Missouri; 
Julia, Mrs. John Norton; and Richard, whose horne 
is in Missouri. 

The members of the Mullo}' family emigrated 
to the United States at different times. The two 
eldest sons came about 1858, and through their fa- 
vorable reports of this country they induced the 
others to seek a home here. John J. and his sister 
Ellen crossed the Atlantic in 1863, and joined a 
brother in fSt. Louis. Prior to emigration our sub- 
ject had been emplo3ed as a clerk in a grocery 
store, and after coining to America he worked in a 
brick yard in New Jersey for a short time. On 
coming west to St. Louis he engaged in boating on 
the Mississi|)pi a few months, after which he and 
two brothers rented land in Alhanibra Township. 
Madison County. The fourth brotlier joined them 
here, and they cultivated the land in partnership. 
So successful were they that to their original pur- 
chase of ff)rty acres they later added three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, comprising our subject's 
present farm in I^eef Township, and also bought 
an eight}' -acre tract. 

AVhen the land was divided, our subject received 
eighty acres of the property, and later bought an 
eighty-acre tract of his brother Michael's widow. 
lie also has ten acres of timber land. IMay 15, 
1884, he married Miss Caroline, daughter of Fred 
and Allouisia (Pottker) Schafer and a native of 
(lerniany, who accomi)anied her parents to the 
United States, settling in Madison County. Mr. 
and Mrs. Mulloy have made a home for their niece 
Mary, daughter of Peter Mulloy, her mother hav- 



ing died when she was an infant. The religious' 
home of the family is in the Catholic Church. 

Politically Mr. INIuUoy is identified with the 
People's party. For four years he served as Dep- 
uty Sheriff of Madison County under George Hotz. 
He also filled the i)osilion of Township Supervisor 
for three j'ears, resigning prior to the expiration 
of his term in order to accej)! the position of Dep- 
uty Sheriff. For eight 3'ears he has served as 
School Trustee. He is also President of the Al- 
liambra Dair}' Association, located in the village 
of Alhambra. 









(^^HOMAS NATHAN HARRIS, the owner of 
((((^<\ two hundred and seventy-three well im- 
Vgj^ proved acres in Fosterbuigh Township, is 
considered one of the most progressive and wide- 
awake agiiculturists within the bounds of Madison 
County. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in 
Champaign County in 1834, to Thomas and Re- 
becca (Little) Harris, vvhose history will appe;ir in 
the sketch of William L. Harris, on another page 
in this volume. 

Thomas N. w.as educated in the district schools 
of the Buckeye State and remained at home with 
his parents until tlieii decease, with the exception 
of the time spent in the arm}' during the late war. 
He entered Company K in 1862, but was mustered 
into Company C, Eightieth Illinois Infantry, as a 
musician. He was present in that capacity at the 
battles of Perryville, Milton Heights, Sand Moun- 
tain, Missionar}- Ridge, Resaca, Atlanta, Franklin 
and Nashville. He was taken prisoner with many 
others at Rome, Ga., and was kept in conflnement 
for some time before being i)aroled. Mr. Harris 
was hoiiorabl}' discharged at Springfield, this state, 
about the 1st of June. 1865. 

The original of this sketch was married in 1850 
to Miss Maria J. Culii, and after his army exi)eri- 
ence he returned to his family and again took up 
the jieaceful pursuits of agriculture. Mrs. Harris 
was the daughter of Benjamin F. and Matilda 
Culp, and by her union became the mother of nine 
children, all of whom are living, namely: Clara D., 



IHI 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



Ilio wife of William Titohnell; Rilla B., now Mis. 
Tlioiiias P. Dulling; Kannie I'".,w!i(> married Jesse 
C'aiiiplioli; William V., who manicil Mary l'^- 
Keillor; Cera K., llie next in order of hirlli; Reliocca 
M.; Sanuiol II. and .lolm S., twins, and .Jessie O., 
all at home. 

.Mr. Harris has spent his entire life in farm iiur- 
suils. He bcj^an for himself on rented i)ro|ieity, 
hut soon, however, |nirehased twenty-three acres of 
ground, and on the death of his father inherited 
eij^lily acres of good farming land. II'' has been 
very successful in his chosen vocation and has one 
of the pleasanlcsl estates in the count}-, lie de- 
votes his time to mixed husbandry and has on his 
place some line breeds of cattle and horses. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Harris arc members in good 
standing of the Ba|)tist Church. Socially, our 
subjeel belongs to Franklin Lodge No. 2.5, A. V. A- 
A. .M., in rppcr .Vllon, and also to Franklin Chap- 
ter No. 15. In polities he is a pronounced Demo- 
crat, and was one of the first Commissioners elected 
in his township. 






^ 



i^^ ^ KNRY HOT/.. Prominent among the agri- 

Y culturists of ]>ecf Township is the gentle- 
man of whom we write. His excellent 
•)) buildings and thoroughly cultivated farm 
are an ornament to this section and are both at- 
tractive and prolitiible. The tract of two hundred 
and forty acres which he cultivates is at present 
his father's property, but will become his by in- 
heritance. The farm is one of the most produc- 
tive in the township and in every w.a_v shows the 
supervision of a thorough-going farmer, who con- 
ducts his work according to business-like meth- 
ods. 

The family of which our subject is a member is 
one of the most prominent and influential in the 
county. A sketch of his brother, the present 
Sheriff, appears on another p.'ige, as does that of 
his father. In the home of his parents, Christian 



and Mary Eva (Weber) Hotz, he was reared to 
manhood, receiving a good education in Saline 
Township and in the schools of llighl:ind, which 
he attended during several winter terms, llis en- 
tire life has been spent in Madison County and he 
is a native of Saline Township, his birth having 
there occurred April 2.3, 18.')7. 

A few months before obtaining his m.ajority our 
subject established domestic ties, choosing as his 
wife Miss .losephine, daughter of Orban an<I \'er- 
onica (Louer) Wigand. This lady was born of 
Oerman parentage in Marine Townshiii. Madison 
Ct>unty,and has spent her entire life in the localil}' 
of her birth. She is kind and generous in her nat- 
ural iin|)ulses, and is well liked by all who know 
her. The following named children have resulted 
from this union: Klnora .1., Charles II., Kdward C, 
Alberto., Tillic Amelia, Fred. J., Leo, AVilliam, 
Amanda S., Bertha A. and Caroline. All are liv- 
ing with the exception of Caroline, who died in 
infancy. 

After commencing in life for himself Mr. Hotz 
operated a rented farm for a number of years, and 
for six years tilled the soil of a portion of the 
homestead, llis father then bought one hundred 
and sixty acres in Washington Couiity. Kan., 
which for seven years he cultivated, but not ciir- 
iiig to make his home permanciitly in the Sun- 
flower State returned to Illinois in IS'.M, having 
disposed of his |)roperty in the former place. He 
is a (lublic-spirited man, ever alive to the interests 
of the comnuinit}', and especially active in for- 
warding all movemenl^ which he believes to be for 
the best good of the peoiilc. 

Political affairs interest Mr. Hotz deeply and in 
them he takes an active part, working earnestly for 
the i)rosperity and jirogress of the Democratic 
part}'. At present he holds the ollice of School 
Director and is carrying on its duties with success, 
giving therein great satisfaction to his neighbors 
and the comnuinity. With his wife and children 
he holds membership in the Saline Catholic Church. 
Such a family as this is in every way a benetit to 
the community in which the}' reside, as their in- 
dustry and enterprise add to its materi.al wealth, 
and their uprightness of character and intelligence 
make them poi>ular in social circles. While a res- 




CALEB n. GON'TKR:\rAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



487 



ideiit of Kansas Mr. Ilotz served as School Di- 
rector, Township Treasurer and Road Overseer, 
being one of the most prominent citizens of Wash- 
ington County. 






l#!#^li-^"i^liS 



^ ALEB B. GONTERMAN, Jn. It is a pleas- 



6ALEB B. G(JNTP 
ure to the biogrs 
witli tiie name c 



apher to iiead this sketch 
of the man wlio is in every 
sense worthy of the distinction afforded by honor- 
able mention among the distinguished citizens of 
the conimunit}' where he h.as passed his entire life. 
He is one of the wealthy men of this section, being 
the possessor of seven hundred acres of land in 
Pin Oak Township, which has been accumulated by 
liaid work and good management on his part. 

Our subject was born on the 1st of October, 
1834, to Caleb B. .and Elizabeth (Miller) Gonter- 
inan. His father, soon after attaining his major- 
ity, in 1818, removed from Hopkinsville, Chris- 
tian County, Ky., to Illinois, settling in Madison 
County, with his parents, .J.acob and Hannah 
(Stark) (iouterman. Our subject's great-grand- 
father, Henry Gonterman, a native of Virginia, 
removed from the Old Dominion to Kentuckj', 
and there passed the remainder of his life. Rlrs. 
Hannah Gonterman was a daughter of Jonathan 
Stark, also a native of the Blue Grass State. 
■ The grandfather of our subject on coming to 
Illinois entered a quarter-section of land from the 
Government, upon which he resided until his 
deceasc,in 1840. He was one of the earl.y settlers 
here, and at his death left a handsome estate to be 
divided among his children. His good wife died 
in this count}' in 1839, after having become the 
mother of ten children. 

The father of our subject, was reared to farm 
pursuits in Kentucky, where his birth occurred 
August 20, 1797. His decease took place Sep- 
tember 11, 1861, just two miles from the farm now 
occupied by our subject. His wife, who was born 
January 20, 1801 (probably in this state), w.as a 
descendant of German ancestors. Her father, 
21 



Michael Miller, was one of the earliest pioneers of 
Illinois, and spent his last days in Waterloo, dying 
when advanced in 3'ears. Mrs. Elizabeth Gonter- 
man died June 28, 1849, leaving a family of five 
sons and four daughters, of whom those living be- 
sides our subject are Eliza J. Whiteside, Hannah 
P. Hinman and John S. 

Caleb B., of this sketch, received his education in 
the district school, and remained under the pa- 
rental roof until his marriage, December 28, 1858, 
to Miss Lj'dia liartlett, whose birth occurred in 
this township, M.ay 16, 1837. She w.as the daugh- 
ter of Jesse and Nancy Ann (Adams) Bartlett, 
. the former of whom was born in Madison County, 
April 5, 1810. His decease took place in Missouri, 
Januar}' 11, 1873, whither he had removed three 
years previously. He was one of nine children 
comprising the family of Joseph and Patience 
(McCo3) Bartlett, natives of Kentucky, who 
came to this county in 1809, and entering Gov- 
ernment land, engaged in farm pursuits until their 
decease, at the respective ages of eighty-eight and 
seventy-seven. The mother of Mrs. Gonterman 
was born in Tennessee and in 1830 came to Illi- 
nois with her parents, Daniel and Sarah (Ingram) 
Adams, who were of English and Irish descent 
and earl}- settlers of Tennessee. By her marriage 
she had ten children, six of whom are 3'et living, 
as follows: Joseph, Lydia, Sarah, Nancy C, Mar- 
tha E. and Rhoda A. The grandfather and father 
of Mrs. Gonterman both served as soldiers in the 
Black Hawk War. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Caleb B. Gonterman have been 
boiii three children. Tiiomas E. married Rosetta 
Pitts and is a prominent merchant at Edwards- 
villc; Jesse O. and Laura A. are at home with their 
parents. They have all been given fine educa- 
tions, the son having graduated from a St. Louis 
school, while Laura and Jessie completed their 
studies at Shurtleff College, AlUjn III. Thom.as E. 
and Rosetta Gonterman have had four children 
born to them: Cyrus B., Nigel C. L., Joseph Wil- 
bur and Courteney Pitts, all of whom are living. 
Our subject located at Marine Prairie soon after 
his marriage and there remained until the fall of 
1866, when he purchased one hundred and eighty 
iiyre.5 of his present farm. He is now one of the 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



extensive land owners of the county, bis posses- 
sions aggiefjaling over seven liuiKlred acres. He 
is a man of excellent business abilitj', sagacious 
and far-siglitcd, and his success is tiie result of 
well directed ctTurts, enterprise and perseverance. 
In his ])olitical sentiments he is a Democrat and 
cast liis lirst vote for .lames Buchanan. Socially, 
he is identified with the (iraiige, in which organ- 
ization he takes great interest. 



IS). .Ml^. -(Si 



^i^'RKDKRICK W. HOIM'K. who occui)ies the 
1!=^ honored and responsiltlc pu^ilioii of Treas- 
/ll urer of Alton, is a native of this place, 

his birth occurring .lanuary 17, 1857. His parents 
were Frederick W., Sr., and Minnie (Fischer) 
IIoppc; the former was l)orn in (Germany in 1818. 
and emigrated to this country in 1851, locating at 
once in Alton. 

The mother of our subject was a native of Ber- 
lin, C!ermany,aiid was born in 1823. She met and 
married Frederick W. Iloppe, Sr., in the Father- 
land and became the niotiier of eight children. 
Her husband was a painter by trade, which busi- 
ness he followed for a time after coming to this 
country'. He was a prominent man in the (iernian 
Lutheran Church, in the faith of which he died 
in 1873. His father was a wholesale tobacconist 
in (lermanv and w.as wealthy, leaving at his death 
a valuable estate which was divided among the 
sons. His widow is still living, making her liunie 
in this city. 

The brother and sisleis of our subject who arc 
living are: Mary Augusta, now the wife of James 
Thrush; Anna, who married .John L. Stutz and 
lives in Nauvoo, this state; William A., who is 
engaged with our subject in his store and mar- 
ried .Miss Cora De.Mutlic. of this city. Frederii'k 
W., of this sketch, acquired his education in the 
common schools and when old enough learned 
the trade of a painter from his father, which 
trade he followctl until rc-xching his twenty- 



third year. Then, opening a grocery store on 
East .Second Street, he soon built up a good trade 
and is eng.iged in its operation at the present time. 

Mr. Iloppe was united in marriage .lanuary 19, 
1880, to Miss Kmnia, daughter of .lohn Haackc, 
and to them was born a son, Arthur. Tlie wife 
and mother departed this life January 21, 1884, 
and our subject chose as his second companion, 
February' 1, 1887, Mrs. Emma Alt, the daughter of 
John and Mary Fischer, and the widow of Charles 
Alt, by whom she became the mother of a son and 
daughter: Charles and Nellie. By her union with 
our subject there were born .John and Emma. 
Mrs. Iloijpe died October G, 1892, greatly mourned 
by all who knew her. 

The original of this sketch is an ardent Repub- 
lican in politics and sees no reason wliy he should 
change his views. He has always been greati}' in- 
terested in the welfare of the city ; for two ycai-s 
he served as Akleriiiaii of the Sixth Ward, and 
was elected City Treasurer in the spring of 1893 
for a term of two years. .Socially, he is a Mason 
(.if high standing, belonging to Ervin Lodge No. 
315, Chapter No. 8 and Belvidere Commandcry 
No. 2. He is likewise connected with Lodge No. 
117, A. O. U. W., and the Alton Turnverein. 



n^^^ 



EDWARD W. HENSCHEN. One of the neat 
and finely improved farms of Leef Town- 
) ship consists of one hundred an<l sixty 

acres, and is owned and operated by the gentleman 
wiiose name introduces this sketch. A native of 
Prussia, he was born May 11, 1854, to Henry C. 
and Caroline (Hackman) Ilenschen. The pater- 
nal grandfather. Herman Ilenschen, wsis born in 
Prvissia in 1788 and was a butiher by trade, be- 
coming well-to-do. A man of considerable musical 
ability, he was for a long time a member of the 
town band, as were both his sons. His pro|iorty 
included a store building, as well as cousitlerable 
timber and farming land. 

In (!randf:itlier llenschen's family there were 
' two sons and four daughters. Herman, formerly 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



489 



a resident of Kdwurflsville, is deceased. Sophia, 
Mrs. Joiiii Leduc, is deceased. Cluistina niairied 
Ilennan Hideinan. The grandfather reached the 
advanced age of eighty-two, Imt the grandmother 
passed away when somewhat younger in years. 
Henry C, our subject's father, received an excel- 
lent education in German^', being well advanced 
in sciences and also a Latin student. His trade 
was that of a butciier, and inheriting his father's 
musical talent his services were often called into 
requisition as a musician. He married a daughter 
of Henry and Caroline Ilackman, of Prussia, and 
they reared four children, Edward W., of this 
sketch; Henry; Mary, who is married; and Sophia, 
wife of Philip Ambuel. 

Emigrating to the United States in 1863, Henry 
C. Henschen settled in St. Louis, where he was in 
the employ of others for about a year. He then 
sent to the Old Country for his family, and in 1864 
was joined by his wife and children. He was em- 
ployed as a butcher in St. Louis until his death in 
(October, 1871. His wife afterward married R. H. 
Highlander, and after the demise of that gentleman 
was united with August Ellerbeck, of St. Louis, 
where she yet lives. 

Remaining at home until manhood, our subject 
meantime acquired a fair education in the St. Louis 
schools. At the age of fourteen he commenced to 
learn the trade of a glass blower, completing his 
apprenticeship at the age of seventeen in the shops 
of the St. Louis Glass Works. For a year or more 
he followed his trade and then came to Madison 
County in conipan}' with his mother. In 1880, in 
this county, he married Miss Mary, daughter of 
John and Tracey (Kraft) Ambuel. Six children 
have blessed their union, Katie, Louis, May, John, 
George and Fred. 

At the time of his marriage Mr. Henschen 
purchased one hundred and twenty acres compris- 
ing a portion of his present estate, to which he 
has since added forty acres of valual)le land. The 
buildings on this farm have been erected by him- 
self and greatly increase the value of the property. 
The improvements are all first-class and the i)lace 
is one of the best in the township, hi politics he 
is a Democrat. He is a member of Trcubund 
Lodge No. 91, of Alhambra. With his family 



he holds membership in the Protestant church of 
Granlfork. His career through life has remained 
untarnished, and he rejoices iu the respect and 
esteem of a large circle of friends, whose good-will 
he has won by his straightforward course, gen- 
erosity and kindness of heart. 



-^^l 



\m 



m\\ 



OHN AMBUEL. One of the finest farms 
of Leef Townshi|) is owned and cultivated 
b^' the subject of this biographical review 
It consists of three hundred and thirty 
acres of prairie and timljer land, marked by a full 
line of improvements, substantial, well arranged 
and attractive. The family residence, erected in 
1868, is a commodious two-story brick structure, 
surrounded by capacious barns and other suitable 
outljuildings. 

Referring to the parental history of our sub- 
ject we find that his fatiier, John H. Ambuel, was 
born in Switzerland and followed the occupation 
of a farmer. In April, 1839, accompanied b}' his 
family, he left Switzerland, journeying to Havre, 
France, and there embarked in an old and 
weather-beaten sailing-vessel. This was one of 
the last voyages ever made by the old ship, and 
frequently it sprang a leak, thus endangering the 
lives of the passengers and i)roving that it was 
uiiseaworthy. 

After sixty-three days on the ocean the ship 
was anchored at New Orleans and the Ambuel 
family was transferred to a river steamer, by 
which they ascended to East St. Louis. In that 
place the families of John II. and his brother 
Louis camped for a few days in corn cribs, while 
waiting for wagons from Highland to transport 
them to their destination, the latter place. Some 
time in September the party reached Highland, 
where the older ones found work in a brick yard. 
During the winter they made rails and performed 
such other work as came to their hands. 

Three months after coining to Highland the 
brothers, Louis and John II. , purchased one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, which unfortunately after 



490 



POKTKAIT AN1> iJICXJHAPHICAL RECORD. 



two years liad to be returned to tlic o^rantor, times 
being too hard to cnalde tliein to make payments] 
Louis then removed to Looking Glass Prairie, but 
.Idhn IL remained on the farm they had pre- 
viously owned. After operating it as a renter a 
few years, he again purchased the place, u])on 
which he has since made his home. To the orig- 
inal tract he has adTied as his means permitted 
iiiilil he IS now the owner of about one thousand 
acres. His wife, wh(>se maiden name was IVLigda- 
lene Jena, died when our subject w.is a lad of about 
twelve years. 

lk>rn in Canton Oraubuenden, Switzerland, 
March 31, 1831.. Tohn Ainhuel attended school 
one winter in the Old Country. After coming to 
America he was a \ni\n\ in the district schools for 
a short time. However, his educational advan- 
tages were exceedingly limited and his present 
broad information has been acquired almost wholly 
by self study. Because of disagreement with his 
step-mother he left home when about seventeen, 
but at his father's entreaty returned, remaining 
until he attained his majority. Upon leaving 
home he engaged in farming for one year and 
then purchased a fine stallion which he managed 
for three seasons. Afterward he ran a threshing 
machine for several years and was employed at 
various vocations until his marriage. 

This event occurred .lune 14, 1 859, the bride be- 
ing Theresa, daughter of Anton and Ava (Reich- 
ard) Kraft, natives of Germany. She was born in 
.St. Louis, Mo., Isovember 27, 183',t, hut has spent 
the greater portion of her life in Illinois. Her 
marriage has resulted in the birth of twelve chil- 
dren, of whom ten survive. They are: Mary, wife 
of Kdward Henschen,of Leef Township; John J.; 
Christina, who married Peter LeDuc, of Saline 
Township; Philip, whose wife bore the maiden. 
name of .Sophie Ilcnschen; Rosa, wife of Peter 
Schunk, residing in Saline Township; Annie, 
K.Ttherine, Jacob, Henry and Matilda. 

In carrying on his farm work Mv. .Vmhuel is in- 
dustrious and siilliciently proiiicssive to adopt 
new methods when hy so doing he can increase 
the productiveness of his land or gain better cro|)s 
than before. As a citizen he is reliable and pub- 
lic spirited, supporting the principles of the Dem- 



ocratic party with his ballot and influence. His 
fellow-citizens have frequently called upon him 
to 0ccui)y positions of trust and responsibility. 
Several different times he has filled the oHice of 
Collector and at present is serving his third con- 
secutive term in that c^pacit}'. He h.as also been 
School Director for many years. 

The religious belief of Mr. Ambuel is in accord 
witli the doctrines of the Lutheran Church, to 
which he belongs and in which his children were 
baptized. His wife is identified with the Catholic 
Church. His earl}^ op[)ortunities were meagre, 
but he h.as conquered difticulties, and by dint of 
l)erseveraiu'e, hard work and enterprise has placed 
himself in the fioiit rank of prosperous fanners of 
the township. 



• t d,^ ■"'•■•^ 



-^ 



)1'AMKS H. ALDOUS, he.ad miller of the 
Sparks Milling Company, was born in Hec- 
cles, England, October '20, 18,^1. the son 
of (ieorge and Ann Aldous. The former, 
also a native of Kngland, emigrated to the United 
States in 1868, settling at Hatavia, N. Y., where 
he had charge of a llouring mill. From there he 
removed to Canandaigiia, N. Y., thence to IJIooni- 
ington, 111., remaining in the latter i)lace about 
three years. After a short sojourn in Seneca, Kan., 
he went back to I?atavia and again took charge of 
the old mill. When it was destroj'cd by fire he 
went to .\kron, Krie County, N. Y., where he is 
now proprietor of the Akron Cement Company. 
His wife, a native of Beccles, died in Seneca, Kan., 
December 7, 1882. She was a devoted member of 
the Methodist Church, with which Mr. Aldous is 
also identified. Politically he is a Republican. 

.Six children coin|)rised the family of George 
and Ann .Mdoiis. (ieorge, Jr., residing in Atchi- 
son, Kan., h.as charge of the Model Mills there. 
Charles, who makes his home in Colioctt>n, Steuben 
County, N. Y., is a member of the Aldous \' Zeigler 
Milling Company. Kdward is proprietor of a mill 
in Oklahoma. .lames H. is next in order of l)irlli. 
Alfred, a resident of Wisner, Neb., has charge of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL RECORD. 



491 



a mill at that place. Annie lives in Chicago. The 
suhjeet of this sketcli arrived in the United States, 
at New York harbor, September 6, 1870, his father 
having preceded him to look over the country. 
George was the first to emigrate to this country, 
coming over in 18(54 and settling in Chicago, 
where he enlisted in the army. He served until 
the close of the war and is now a pensioner. 

After landing in New York, our subject pro- 
ceeded to Dansville, N. Y., and there worked at 
the carpenter's trade, which he had learned in Eng- 
land. When not thus employed he was with his 
father learning the milling business. His first work 
in that line was at Batavia, N. Y., where lie was 
second miller. From that place he went toBloom- 
ington, 111., and took charge of the Union Mills, 
remaining there four years. In 1880 he went to 
St. Louis and engaged in the milling business. 
Coming to Alton he accepted the position of 
second miller in the Alton City' Mills, where he 
remained until 1882. On the 1st of May, the 
same year, he took charge of the Sparks Mills, and 
lias since been employed with that company. In 
addition to his knowledge of carpentry, he studied 
drawing and architecture, also millwiighting, thus 
being qualified not only to operate a mill, butalso 
to plan and superintend the construction of one. 

When the Sparks Milling Company decided to 
enlarge its capacity, Mr. Aldous, who is a stock- 
holder, was given charge of the work. When the 
mill was started all the intricate macliinery moved 
like clockwork and has continued so ever since, 
a strong indorsement of his knowledge of the bus- 
iness. The milling business is a science with him 
and of it he makes a constant study. The family 
of which he is a member has for years been idcnti- 
lied with nulling interests, his father and four bro- 
thers all occupying prominent positions in the 
milling world. To him the company looks for 
the success of their products in the markets of 
the world and in him they repose the utmost 
confidence. 

At Alton, October 23, 1884, Mr. Aldous was 
united in marriage with Mary Blanche, daughter 
of .losepii and Esther Crowe. Her father, a pub- 
lic-spirited citizen, pronounced Republican and 
successful merchant, died in 1894, leaving a good 



estate. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Aldous has re- 
sulted in the birth of one child, Joseph C. In 
politics our subject is in favor of the principles 
promulgated b\' the Republican party. Socially 
he affiliates with. the Knights of Honor, belonging 
to Alton Lodge No. 920, in which he h.as passed 
through all the chairs and is now dictator and rep- 
resentative to the Grand Lodge. 



OC++++**'5"5'****^************50» 



"^f OSEPH B. PEARCE, one of tlie extensive 
land owners of Madison County, who now 
successfully carries on general farming and 
stock-raising and makes his home in Alham- 
bra, is a representative of one of the honored 
pioneer families of this coramunit}'. His grand- 
parents, James and Lucinda (Allison) Pearce, came 
to this county in 1815, settling on a farm near 
Edwardsville. In 1818 they located near the east 
fork of Silver Creek, about six miles from High- 
land. Mr. Pearce there entered land and improved 
a farm, which he cultivated for thirty years, after 
which he located in Olive Township, wiiere his 
death occurred in the fall of 1864. He was twice 
married, and the children by his first wife were 
Lucinda, Hugh A., Robert B., William W., Isaac 
W., Joseph B., Alfred C, Melinda and Francis, all 
deceased, and James, who now lives in Kansas. 
Mr. Pearce was a second time married in Febru- 
ary, 1837, to Frances Martin, and they had five 
children: Mary A., deceased; Mathias B., of Olive 
Township; Sarah E., wife of Dr. Olive, of Hous- 
ton, Tex.; Newton, of Ft. AVorth, Tex.; and 
Rachel, wife of James M. Tabor, of Ray Count3-, 
Mo. 

AVilliam W. Pearce, father of our subject, was 
born in Kentucky, June 20, 1815, and during his 
infancy was brought by his parents to Illinois. 
He acquired a common-school education, and was 
united in marriage with Barbara Allen Vincent, 
who was born in Olive Township in 1818. They 
began their domestic life about four miles north of 
Alhambra, and later removed to Saline Township. 
Subsequently the^' again spent twelve years in 



492 



KJRTRAIT A^'D UOGRAPIIICAL RECORD. 



Olive Towiisliip and llien lived for ten years u\wn 
a farm a mile and a-linlf nuilli of Allianibra. In 
1858 tliey removed to the village, and Mr. Pearce 
built tlie residence which is now the lionie of his 
widow. lie made fanning and stock-raising his 
life work and thereby won aeomiietencc. He took 
quite an .iclive part in politics, supporting the 
Democracy, and in 1884 represented his district in 
the State Legislature. In 1886 he became a mem- 
l)er of the Methodist Church. Ilis death occurred 
Xoveniber 17, 1888. In the family were live chil- 
dren, three yet living. Lucinda is the wife of 
Kdward Warderman. of Rutler, Mo., and they 
have six children. William W. wcddo<l Alvira 
Stepp, by whom he had six children, and for his 
second wife married Ida Wilkei-son. .Joseph K. is 
the next younger. Martha is the deceased wife of 
.loseph P. Stepp, by whom she had four children. 
Louise .1., who became the wife of .1. A. Matthews, 
died, leaving one child. 

Mr. Pearce, whose name heads this record, was 
born in OlivcTownship March 10, 1847, and shortly 
afterward was brought to Alhambra Township 
and aciiuired his education in the district schools 
of the neighborhood. He remained at home until 
his marri.-ige in the fall of 1878, the lady of his 
choice being Miss Annie Sharp, daughter of Henry 
Sharp, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. 
She was l)orn in Bond County March 24, 1858, 
and at the age of sixteen began teaching, which 
she followed for five terms. The young couple 
fii-st located in Olive Township, and Mr. Pearce 
has made general farming and stock-raising his 
life work. 1 1 has lieen to him a profitable business, 
and he now owns five hundred and twenty .icrcs 
of valuable land, of which four hundred and forty- 
acres are highly improved. Since 1882 he has made 
his home in .\lhambra. 

Five children gr.iced the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
Pearce: Allen V., born July 9, 1879; Davis, who 
W.1S born March 22. 1883, and died the same year; 
Beltie T., Iiorn August 13, 1884; William Morri- 
son, liorn October 20, 1886; and Roger Mills, born 
August 4. 1888. 

Mr. Pearce warmly advocates Democratic prin- 
ciples and does all in his |wwer to promote the 
growth and insure the success of his party. He 



has several times l>een a member of the Village 
Hoard, was Assessor of .Mhambra Township three 
terms and Supervisor one term. In oflice he is 
always true and faithful, his public and private 
life arc alike above reproach, and he is recognized 
as one of the prominent citizens of this |>art of 
the county. 

' ^ jB^ P ' 




M ISS II. N. IIASKKLL, Princip.al of Monti- 
' '* cello Seminary. This institution was 
founded in 1832 by Capt. lienjamin God- 
frey, the structure being completed April 
11, 1838, at a cost of *50.000. It w.-is budt of 
stone, and was imposing in appearance and com- 
plete in appointments. Additions and alterations 
were made until ^l lO.onO had been ex|>onded upon 
the buildings. At a somewhat later period Captain 
Godfrey pl.aced it under the su|)ervision of a self- 
perpetuating Board of Trustees, comprising five 
prominent citizens. 

The first Board selected by the founder (of 
which he was a member) placed Rev. Theron Bald- 
win at the head of the seminary, nominally as [irin- 
cipal, that position being filled by him from 1835 
until 1843. He was succeeded by Miss Philina 
Fobes, who served in that capacity until 1866, 
Miss Haskell l)eing then placed in charge of the 
school. The original structure was burned in No- 
vember, 1888, enUiiling a loss of *300.000. Al- 
most before the flames had cleared away, however, 
arrangement* had l>een made for the temporary 
ac-coramodatioD of the students, and soon upon 
the same site arose another building, even more 
beautiful in exterior appointments than the other 
structure had been, while the interior arrange- 
ments are modern and convenient. The building 
was completed in 1890 and is valued at ^270,000, 
which does not include the land, gas works and 
numerous outbuildings. 

The aim of .Monticello Seminary is to give young 
ladies the advantages of a higher Christian educa- 
tion. The classii-al course is complete and includes 
the higher mathematics. I^tin, Greek, French, 
German, history, ethics, the sciences, art and mu- 



PORTRAIT Aym inOGRAPinCAL RECORD, 



493 



sic. The campus and adjoining farm includes one 
hundred acres, niucii of which is covered with a 
natural forest that greatly enhances the beautj' of 
the scenery. In the seminar)' there are accom- 
modations for one hundred .and fort}' boarders, 
and the sleeping apartments are provided witii 
every convenience that will contriJDute to the 
comfort and happiness of the 3'oung ladies. 
From this institution, as graduates, have gone 
fortli in years past man j^ women who are now prom- 
inent in the arts and sciences; others have be- 
come famous in literature or gained prominence 
in the liighest society of tlie land. The friends of 
the seminary may point with pride to the record 
of its alumnae, and they in turn may with justice 
attribute much of their success to the training re- 
ceived in tlie seminary. 

The original of this sketch was born in Lincoln 
County, Me., January 14, 1835, to Bela B. and 
Eliza Ann (Sproul) Haskell, also natives of the 
Pine Tree State. Grandfather George Haskell 
was born in Massachusetts and was a descendant 
of English ancestors, who, emigrating to America, 
settled in Gloucester, Mass. The maternal grand- 
father, William Sproul, was of Scotch-Irish line- 
age. 

In earl}- life Bela B. Haskell was a ship builder, 
in which business he gained a handsome fortune. 
For some years prior to his decease he was en- 
gaged in the banking business in Waldoboro, Me. 
He was a man of prominence in his locality, and 
was a leader among the Whigs. For some time he 
served as Collector of the Port, for two years was 
a member of the Maine Senate and also repre- 
sented his district several terms in the Lower 
House. He and his wife were members of the 
Congregational Church. Tlieir family consisted 
of three children, the eldest of whom, .lane Eliza- 
beth, was the wife of Samuel W. Boardman, Presi- 
dent of a college in Middlebury, Vt. The only 
son, Lowell Porter, married Miss Ella, daughter of 
Governor Marble, of Maine, and is engaged in the 
mercantile business in Boston, Mass. The mother 
of this family died in 1885, the father two years 
later. 

Miss Haskell received her classical education at 
Castleton, Yt., after which she entered Mt. Holyoke 



College at South Hadley, Mass., and was graduated 
with the Class of '55. After teaching for two 
years in the public schools of Boston she was for 
five years Principal of the schools of Castleton, 
Vt. In 1866 she came to Illinois to accept the 
position of Principal of the Monticello Seminary, 
which, under her capable management, has risen 
to a foremost rank among the institutions f)f learn- 
ing, for which the Prairie State is noted. 

In religious connections Miss Haskell is a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church, with which she 
has lieen identified for many years. Her entire 
time and attention are devoted her responsible 
duties as Principal. She is well informed upon 
all educational matters of interest, and attends 
conventions of instructors quite frequentlj'. Her 
fame as a successful teacher has spread throughout 
the states, and at different times there have been 
placed under her influence and teaching over four 
thousand students. She is a lady of culture, an 
experienced educator, a thoroughly progressive 
and broad-spirited woman. Under her manage- 
ment the school is conducted on thoroughly ra- 
tional principles and generous plans; and yet no 
detail, however minute, pertaining to the moral, 
mental and physical development of tliose in her 
charge is neglected. 



^^EGRGE W. MEAD, whose home is on a val- 
||[ ,__ uable farm near Alhambra, Leef Township, 
'^^^ijll is engaged in general farming and is favor- 
ably known in this section of the state. His farm 
comprises one hundred and twenty acres and is 
under good cultivation. It has been his home 
continuous!)- since 1864, but he has been identi- 
fied with this neighborhood more or less since De- 
cember, 1863, when he became the owner of his 
present farm. 

Mr. Mead was born at Wethersfield Springs, 
Wyoming County. N. Y., September 2, 1836, and 
is the son of John Pool Mead, whose birthplace 
was in New Jersey. The date of that event was 
1808. His father. Dr. Lemuel Mead, was agradu- 



494 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



ate of Yale College, where lie completed the liter- 
ary, siMCiitilli; ami iiu-diual cKUrsos. lie was 
born in New York City about 1778, anil was 
one of the original Meads to come to America 
from Kngiand before the Revolution, in wliicli war 
be took part, .loiin P. Mead was a farmer in New 
York, and lived to the age of ciglity-four years, 
departing this life in Seplenil)er, 1888. George 
W., of this sketch, was three yeare old when his 
parents moved to Warsaw, N. Y., where he lived 
until he was twenty-four years of age. After 
completing his primany education in Wai-saw, he 
entered the academy of that place, which he at- 
tended for a number of years. At the age of 
twenty he began teaching school, his firet charge 
being at Union Cornei-s. Thence he went to 
South Warsaw, and later to North Warsaw, .lava 
Lake and the village of Java, teaching school at 
all tlic^e pciints. lie had learned that a te.icher at 
.lava l^ikc liad l>een forced to leave as the schol- 
ars were unmanageable, and the salary being ^30 
per month, he decided he would undertake to 
teach the school. He was successful, the result be- 
ing an orderly and disciplined school. 

In the fall of 18j8 Mr. Mead left for Kentucky 
to continue in the practice of his profession, but 
linally went as far south as Russellville, Tenn. 
There he fell in with Colonel Russell, who suciired 
a school for him, which w.is so far distant in the 
woods that it took him a week to tiiid it without 
a guide. At this time a number of innovations 
were introduced by liiiu, modern seats re[)lacing 
the slabs, and a window being pl.iccd in the side of 
the building, the open door having formerly 
served in a double capacity. Learning that the 
previous teacher had not yet collected his pay, this 
sensible young Yankee concluded to depart for 
a more congenial lield. Proceeding to Memphis 
in the spring of 1859 he took passage for .St. 
Louis, where he arrived with only ?!5 of Tennessee 
money in his pocket. His next venture was to 
take deck passage to Boonville, Mo., whence he 
struck into the country, aiicl iicarT"ii)toii he began 
teaching with only three subscriplion pupils, but 
by energy and advertising in a local paper a school 
of folly-live was secured, many of whom were 
teachers glad of an opportunity toativance further 



in their studies. The school was broken up in the 
fall on account of sickness, and our traveler next 
departed to Kansas City, where he sojourned for a 
time. He next taught school in Buchanan Coun- 
ty, Mo., remaining there until the spring of 1800. 
Proceeding to .St. .Ioseph,Mr. Mead turned his at- 
tention to the sale of pianos, and in that city 
voted for Douglas, but the war coining on, musical 
instruments were at a discount and therefore Mr. 
Mead departed for St. Louis. During that winter 
he took up a school in Collinsville, 111., afterward 
te.aching in the schools at Sassafras Grove and 
Troy. The fall of 1863 he w.is engaged as Prin- 
cipal of the Trenton schools. 

While at Trenton Mr. Mead met as one of his 
pupils the lady who on August 6, 1 803, became his 
wife. She w.as a Miss Dugusta, daughter of 
Henry and Maria (Morris) Wise, natives of Penn- 
sylvania. Mrs. Mead w.is born at Brownsville, 
Pa., .lanuary 30, 1846. To them were born twelve 
children, eight of whom are living, namely: 
George W., ,lr., Lewis M.. Ada Marie. Kva P., 
Kiniiia. Hortice 11., Esther and Frank ti. Those 
who have p.ossed away are, Mary D., Augustus F., 
Bessie and Birdie. George W., .Ir.. a traveling 
salesman, makes his home in .Marion, III.; Lewis 
M., whose headquarters are in St. Louis, travels 
for the Wheeler it Wilson Manufacturing Com- 
pany; Ada M., a very successful music teacher, is 
the wife of Henry Royston, of Jameson, Mo., a 
stock-raiser and dealer; Eva P. h.isbcen established 
for some yeai-s in Mavsville. Mo., as a music 
teacher. The entire family have line ability .as 
musicians, inheriting the same from their mother, 
who has been proficient in the art since girllioi>d. 

In Dec-ember, 1863, Mr. Mead became the owner 
of his farm. In the fall of 1804, with his wife as 
his assistant, betook charge of the school at Staun- 
ton. Ill the spring of 1865 he returned lo his 
farm, and for the succeeding seven years, with 
only one jear's intermission, when he taught the 
Big Rock school, he was in charge of the school at 
Alliambra. He also tJiught one term at Formosa. 
t)f late years he has entercil more largely into the 
sale of pianos and organs, and in the interest of 
this business traveled for seven years in Bond, 
Madison. Jersey. Greene and Scott Counties, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



495 



also in Macoupin, Montgomer}', Clinton and St. 
Clair Counties. In 1881-82 lie engaged in the 
sale of musical instiunients in Davis, Harrison and 
Grundy Counties. 

In his home district Mr. Mead taught the Rock- 
well school for two 3ears, the Hazel Dell and the 
Wider Range schools for two years each, the Geh- 
rig School for one year, and for three years those 
at Peters Station and Kdwardsville. He has since 
been devoting his time to his farm, though he still 
sells musical instruments when not otherwise en- 
gaged. In 1862, on his return to St. Jose[)li, Mr. 
Mead began the stud_y of law, intending to prac- 
tice in connection with iiis brother .7. P. Mead, of 
Kdwardsville, but his subsequent purchase of a 
farm altered these |)lans. In politics he is a Dem- 
ocrat and was formerly a member of the Farmers' 
Mutual Henefit Association. Among olHcial |)0si- 
tions that he has lilled we mention those of County 
Commissioner and Director of the home district, 
in which he has served for many terms. 



(^ 



^tr 



^ 



W^ 



^ 




VTTHIAS BROWN. One of the largest 
land owners of Madison County is "•Uncle 
Matt" Brown of Leef Township. His pos- 
sessions aggregate about twenty-seven hun- 
dred acres of fine land, in this and Bond Counties, 
a portion of which is timbered, although the 
larger jiart is under cultivation or devoted to pas- 
turage. For twenty years he operated a saw and 
grist mill, after which he turned his attention ex- 
clusivel}' to agriculture, and has since been en- 
gaged in raising stock and horses. 

A native of Ohio, our subject was born in Rich- 
land County, near the village of Ashland, March 
13, 1823. He traces his lineage to England, wliencc 
his paternal grandfather emigrated to America and 
settled in Virginia. Our subject's father, John 
Brown, was born in the Old Dominion in 1779, 
and became an expert millwright, usually employ- 
ing eight or ten men. He built man}' mills both 
in \'irginia and Ohio. In the vicinity of Ports- 



mfiuth he owned six hundred acres, and there he 
built a mill, which was later swcptaway by a flood. 
He then removed to western Ohio, wliei-c he set- 
tled on the frontier among the Indians. 

During the early days of the history of Ohio, 
John Brown endured all the privations and perils 
incident to life on the frontier. On one occasion 
he was chased five miles l)y about two hundred 
savages, but being a man of great stiengtli and en- 
durance he escaped, killing several of his pursuers. 
At another time with two companions he was pui- 
sued by the Indians until he came to the border of 
a lake. Seeing no way of escape his com|)anions 
surrendered, but he took to the water, diving as 
far as he could, then coming to the surface for air. 
In that way he succeeded in reaching the farther 
shore. As soon as his pursuers withdrew he swam 
back to the shore he had left, and there he lay 
concealed all day in the water under a large lily 
leaf, making his escape in the night while his en- 
emies were searching for him in the direction it 
was suiiposed he had gone. He had a kindly feel- 
ing for the Indians, and while obliged to kill many 
of them, did so only from the necessity of self- 
preservation. A man of great fearlessness, he 
would scarcely turn his back on an enemy even to 
save his own life. 

Late in life John Brown removed to Illinois, and 
after a short sojourn near Marine, settled in Hancock 
County, where he became the owner of a large farm. 
There at an advanced age he passed from earth in 
March, 1854. He was a man of lofty principles of 
honor and force of character. He had a high re- 
gard for the truth, and was never known to pre- 
varicate, even in the smallest matter, throughout 
his entire life. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Nancy Emmons, was a descendant of German an- 
cestry; she was born in Maryland in 1787, and 
died in Hancock Count}-, 111., in 18()5. 

( )f the parental family of thirteen children, Mat- 
thias Brown was the eleventh in order of birth, 
being the youngest of eight sons. His childhood 
days were spent in the county of his birth, and in 
boyhood he was a student in the subscription 
schools of the neighborhood. These "temples of 
learning" were crude in construction aiul con- 
tained few conveniences. On the puncheon floors 



■JItC) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



tlic urchins were required to "toe the crack." The.v 
si\t im punclieoii henciies tliroiigli wliicli the [icg 
lo«js prolriuled, ami one of tlie favorite modes of 
piiiiisliiiKMit was to require tiie luckless lad to sit 
on tlic |)eg for liours or perhaps all day. The 
hircli rod was also a univoisnl ndjuiud of educa- 
tion. 

On the Isl of .lune, 1838, our suhject's father 
landed in Marine, 111., and settled a mile and a- 
half west of thai villag-e, where, however, he re- 
mained hut a few months. Purchasing eight hun- 
dred acres of timber land along Silver Creek, lie 
built two water mills, but not finding the climate 
of Madison County congenial, he removed to Han- 
cock County, as above stated. Mattlii.as built a 
saw and grist mill on Shoal Creek in Bond County, 
which lie ojierated about twenty years, and with 
the proceeds entered much of the land now in his 
name. On coniinencing the life of an agriculturist 
he began on an extensive scale, and in connection 
Willi the raising of grain also devoted some atten- 
tion to stock-raising, having at one timcaboutone 
hundred horses <m his ]ilace. 

Ill .lune, 1817, Mr. Brown married Margaret, 
daughter of Anderson Hill. This lady was born 
in I.S2."). and died Novoiiilipr 21, 1851, leaving one 
son, Snniuol, who was born .\pril 14, 1848. The 
latter, after attaining manhood, served for one 
term as SIicritT of i'.oiid County, III., and alioul the 
close of the term he was thrown accidentally from 
his buggy, since which time he h.is been paraly/ed. 

The second marriage of Mr. Brown occurred 
November 8, 18;')9, uniting him with Dorcas, 
daughter of Benjamin Rullibmii, a native of \'or- 
iiKuil. Mrs. Brown was born in New York ,Ianu- 
ary 17, 1841, and by her marriage were bom ten 
children, eight of whom survive. They arc, Simon, 
who lives on a farm adjoining llial of his father; 
Kli/.a, wife of Reece Godliff, an agriculturist of 
Piond County; Harriet Elizabeth, who married 
Henry I'log, a merchant ot (Jid Riiilcy, Bond 
County; Clara, wife of William Smith, a clerk in 
Pocahontas; Theodore, Ella, Belle and Horace. 
'I'lie deceased are, Mary Ann and .losiali. In re- 
ligious connc(^tions Mr. and Mrs. I'.rown are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Church. 

Politically, Mr. Ihown has advocated Re|Hibli- 



can i)rinciples for thirty years. In May, 1864, he 
enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty- 
fifth Illinois Infantry, under Colonel Wolf, and 
served five months in Missouri, going as far .as 
Pilot Knob. When he enlisted he suppo.sed the 
one hundred thousand men were to engage in ac- 
tive service against the Confederates, and he was 
greatly disappointe<l to (ind that, instead of fight- 
ing, he had nothing to do but guard unarmed men 
and railroad bridges. For twelve years he w.as 
.Justice of the Peace. He also olliciated as School 
Director and Highway Commissioner, rendering 
satisfaction to the people in all his public positions. 
Mr. Brown commenced life f(U' himself at the 
age of seventeen, and never receiveil a cent from 
his father's estate, and li.as accumulated his present 
line estate through his own efforts, industry and 
pei-severance. Througli his entire life he has been 
very charitable toward the needy, and he is now 
passing the remaining days of his life in comfort 
and contentment. 



\f/ OUIS IIAAGEN, deceased, was proprietor 
^ of the leading dry-goods house in Alton 
^^ and a representative citizen of the place. 
He was born in Bavaria, on the Rhine, .lune 25, 
1830, and received a collegiate education. Early 
in life he became connected with the liberal polit- 
ical movement in Gerniaiiy, in consei|uence of 
which he was obliged to leave his native land. 
Seeking the land of freedom, he arrived in this 
country in 1850. The following year he settled 
in Alton, where he continued to reside uiilil his 
death, January 22, 1891. His health had been un- 
usually good until the insidious "grip" weak- 
ened his conslilution, and though he apparently 
recovered from this illness and lesiimed his busi- 
ness, he was sufldenly stricken with paralysis of 
the brain, dying in about twenty minutes from 
the time of his attack. His sudden death w.as a 
great blow to his family, who were hardly at his 
side before he breathed his last. 

Mr. Ilaagen's first einploymcnt at Alton was as 
a clerk. In 1854 lie opened a general store and 



PORTRAIT AND BTOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



497 



succeeded in Iniildino; up a, large trade, continuing 
in this business until .Inly. 1884. At that time lie 
formed a stock company- knovvn as the Ilaagen & 
Fuess Drj'-goods Company, which was duly incor- 
porated, he being made President of the concern. 
The other members of the compan}' were Joseph 
Fuess, Emil Espenheim and Mr. Fischer. In 1885 
our subject bought out the entire interest of the 
company and operated the business, taking into 
partnership his sons, Louis J. and Paul F. The 
house, which w.as the largest of the kind in the 
city, merited and received a large and paying trade 
an<l the proprietor was a merchant of the highest 
order, broad-minded and progressive. 

Mr. Ilaagen was a man of great charity and al- 
ways had a warm place in his heart for the poor and 
needy. His success in life was due almost wholly 
to his unaided exertions, his father (who was for 
more than fifty years a teacher in Germany), 
having died when Louis was quite young. He 
was a most exemplary man in all the walks of life 
anil was public-spirited, giving his aid to all enter- 
prises calculated t<i advance the welfare of Alton. 
Until 18;)8 he was a Democrat, but after that he 
sujjported the Republican party. Fraternally he 
was a member in high standing of the Masonic 
order. In the cause of education he served for a 
number of years as President of the School Board. 
Though his business quite fully occupied his time, 
he was for several terms in the Cit3' Council and 
was always glad to aid in the success of his party. 
In 1858 he was commissioned by Governor Bissell 
as Second Lieutenant of the Alton .lager Company, 
an independent rifle company, and one of the best 
in the state. 

Tlie marriage of IMr. Ilaagen took place in 1854 
and united him with Miss Ellen McIIugh, who was 
born in Canada. Ten children were born to this 
union: Louis .7.; Paul F.; Katie, Mrs. George V. 
Burbridge, now deceased; Ellen, deceased; Caroline, 
wife of Karl C. Smith; Louise; Amelia; Mamie, de- 
ceased; Charles I), and Kmil. Mrs. Burbridge left a 
daughter, Nellie, who lives with her grandparents. 
The eldest son of our subject, Louis .1., is the man- 
ager of the extensive business left by his father. His 
birth occurred November 30, 1855, in Alton, and 
he received the advantage of a liberal education. 



He was early initiated into the mercantile business 
by his father and is a practical business man. On 
the 29th of September, 1880, he married Mary 
Louise, daughter of .John S. and Anna (Childs) 
Topping, natives of New York. They have one 
child. Paul Topping. In politics Mr. Ilaagen is 
a Republican. 

Paul F. Ilaagen, one of the members of the 
Ilaagen Dry-goods Company, has taken quite an 
active part in local affairs and is a popular 3'oung 
man. He votes with the Democratic party and 
was chosen City Collector, discharging his duties 
for two terms to the satisfaction of the people. 
The old charter of the dry-goods comi)any expired 
August 1, 1894, when the business was incorpo- 
rated as the Haagen Dry-goods Company, with the 
four brothers, Louis J., Paul F., Charles"^!). and 
Kmil, as members. The sons have inherited the 
business instinct and enterprising spirit of their 
lamented father, and are making a success of their 
various undertakings. 






i>-^^<^ 



wi, 



OHN A. TRAUERNICHT operates a good, 
farm on section 7, New Douglas Township. 
This tract of land, comprising one hun- 
dred and sixty acres, is a portion of his 
father's large estate and is one of the most desir- 
able farms in the county. Our subject is a native 
of Illinois, having been born near Lebanon, St. 
Clair County, February 24, 18C0. 

.Tohn A. Trauernicht is a son of A. J. and was 
about five 3'ears of age when the latter removed 
to Madison County. Here liis school days were 
passed, his education being acquired in the district 
schools of the neighborhood. He grew to man- 
hood on his father's farm, becoming thoroughly 
equipped with a practical knowledge of the best 
methods for carrying on a farm. On arriving at 
man's estate he decided to continue to give his 
attention to farm work and embarked in business 
for himself about the time of his marriage. 

This important event in the life of our subject 
occurred August 17, 1882, when Miss Lizzie K. 



tits 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Ildslo liccaiiic Ills wife. Till- l:i<l\ was liorn in 
Lec'f T(iwiifi|ii|) April 5, 18tj.'). hciiiy :i daugliUT nf 
Ki-ncsl W. and Anna C. (l)ieternmn) Iloslo. Tlie 
foi'iiu'r is a native i)f I'rnssia and is a son of Kd- 
ward Iloslo, of TafkorluTy, who was a Captain in 
the Prussian army. Mi'>. Iloslo is a daiiglitcr of 
SlopliiMi II. and Klizalii'lli (llacknian) Dietcrman 
and was niaiiieci Fehruaiy 2(), 18GII. 

In a fainilv of ten children horn to her parents 
Mrs. rraucniicht is the fourth in order of hirth. 
With her husliaml she lu)lds membership with the 
Kvanjielieal Lutheran Church of iNew Douglas. 
In his political alliliations our subject is an ardent 
supporter of the Republican party, to which he 
has given his inllueucc and ballot since attaining 
his majoiity. The family is held in high esteem 
in this county and are worthy, industrious and 
enterprising young peojile. 



4^ 



J[]OIlN A. COISLKY. who since February 
ISaO, has been editor of the Alton Tele- 
(jrajih, is an able and thoroughly capable 
' man and has shown himself as such in his 
management of this well known paper. The 
Ti'hyniph has had a long and varied career before 
the public and probably no paper is better known or 
more highly esteemed in southern Illinois. In the 
p:ist four years its circulation has been materially 
increased and it is recognized as having a power- 
ful molding inlluence upon the minds of the 
people in this and adjoining counties. 

It W.1S on the LJlh of .lanuary, I83C, in the 
early days of the history of this sUite and county, 
that the Alton Teler/raph was established as a 
weekly newspaper by Richard M. Treadway and 
Lawson A. Parks. The latter continued with the 
paper .is i)art owner and editor until his death, 
March "JiS, 187.'). The lirsl issue of the Daily 
Tfliyjmjih was in 18.')2. Many editors during the 
years of its existence have contributed their share 
toward its upbuilding, among whom we mention 
L. A. Parks, .). Hailhache, K. I,. Raker, T. M. Davis 
and W. T. Norton. The last named was e<litor 



.tnd owner of the paper froin 187.") until October, 
1880, when he was appointed Postniaslcr. 

The Alton Telfynijih Printing Company was 
organized in 188;'), W. T. Norton owning a major- 
ity of the st(K-k. In .lanuary, 1893, he sold the 
controlling interest in the paper to J. A. Cousley 
and in February, 18;»1, he sold the balance of his 
interest to II. W. Hauer, retiring from any con- 
nection with the paper. Succeeding W.T.Norton, 
the present editor became one of its staff in 
February, 189((. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland 
October 20, 1844. His father, also a native of the 
I'jnerald Isle, there died in February, 1848. Two 
yeai-s later Mr. Cousley left his native land, coming 
to America, and arrived with his mother in this 
city on Christmas Day of that year and has since 
continued to make Alton his home. 

H. W. Bauer, who is the second largest stock- 
holder in the i)ai)er being manager of the mechan- 
ical department, is a native of this city, having 
been born in 18.')9 of Oerniaii parents. Originally 
the Telegraph was a Whig paper, but since the 
organization of the Republican party has been an 
earnest defender of the |)rincipies of that organ- 
ization. On all the leading (|uestions of the day 
the paper sends forth no uncertain sounds and its 
able editorials are quoted oftcn-times in not oidy 
the local press, but in the important newspapers of 
large cities. 







EN.IAMIN L. DORSEY, well known .as an 
extensive and successful eoal merchant of 
I) il Alton, was born in (Jillespie, Macoupin 
County, 111., August 31, 1857, and is a 
son of IJenjamin and Amelia C. (HIair) Dorsey, 
natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. His 
father, who was born in .lefferson County Decem- 
ber 14, 1822, removed to Illinois and settled in 
Macoupin County, where he h.ns since engaged in 
agricultural j)ursuits. A man of excellent judg- 
ment and superior ability, he has made a sui'cess 
of his chosen vocation, and conducts farming 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



499 



and stock-raising u[)on an extensive scale. In tiie 
great issues of tlie jx-csent age lie is intelligently 
informed, and politically advocates ]-)cniocratic 
l)rinciples. In religious belief he is an Episco- 
|)alian. 

The mother of our subject died in 1861, after 
having had eight ciiildren, namely: Henry Shreve; 
Frances Matilda, the wife of Frank Edwards, of 
Gillespii;; Robert Walker, George Blaii-; Louisa, 
deceased; Elias Mountjo}', Benjamin Lawrence 
and Amelia Clarissa. The boyhood days of the 
suliject of this sketch were spent on the home 
farm, and he w.as a student in the district schools 
[irior to the age of fourteen. lie was then sent 
to Notre Dame, .South Bend, Ind., where he re- 
mained one year. Later he continued his studies 
in Whipple's Academy, at Bunker Hill. 

Upon starting out in the world for himself, Mr. 
Dorsey was for three years engaged in farming. 
Later, in partnershii) with his father and three 
brothers, he opened a coal mine in Gillespie. This 
was regarded as one of the best mines ever opened 
in the state, and was sold to the Consolidated Coal 
Company for *90,000. In 1883 Mr. Dorsey came 
to Alton and opened a coal office on the corner of 
Second and Ridge Streets, which is now conducted 
under the name of the Dorsey Fuel Company. He 
sells by wholesale and retail all kinds of coal and 
coke, and, in f.act, everything in the way of fuel 
may be obtained from him. With his father and 
brothers, he owns twenty-two hundred acres of 
valuable farming land, all under cultivation. 

At Carlinville, III., October 15, 1881, Mr. Dorsey 
married Miss F'rances Julia Loom is, the daughter 
of Thaddeus L. and .Sarah (I)uckels) Loomis, old 
and proniinent residents of Macoupin Count}'. 
They have by this union four children: Bertha 
Loomis, Edna I)ul)ois, Lawrence Loomis and Ruth 
Frances. In religious faith Mrs. Dorsey is an 
Episcopalian and an active worker in that church, 
to which our subject also belongs. Socially', he 
alliliates with the Modern Woodmen of America. 
In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as a 
delegate to various conventions. He has never 
desired jiolitical preferment, desiring to devote 
his attention entirely to his business and to en- 
joy his leisure moments with his family, to whom 



he is greatly attached. A man of genial man- 
ners, he is highly regarded by all with whom busi- 
ness or social relations have brought him into 
contact. 



^^(^ 




fl(_^ ENRY HEN.SCIIEN. Among the practical 
and enterprising farmers of Leef Township 
is this gentleman, whose liome is on section 

^j 9. He is a native of Prussia, his birth hav- 
ing occurred in the village of Leanen, January 
13, 1857. His father, Henry Henschen, was also 
born in Prussia, the date being Jul^^ 1818. His 
death occurred in October, 1871. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Caroline Hackman, now resides 
in St. Louis, Mo., in her sixty-eighth year, and is 
likewise a native of Prussia. 

With his family our subject's father removed to 
America in 1864, embarking at Bremen iu October 
in a sailing-vessel, the "(Jrystal," and arrived 
safely in New York Harbor after a voyage of seven 
weeks. They proceeded direct to St. Louis, where 
the father established himself in the butcher busi- 
ness. 

In a family of three sons and two daughters 
Henry Henschen is the second in order of birth. . 
He had attended school in the Old Countr3-;»and 
on reaching the New World continued his educa- 
tion in the Jefferson school at St. Louis, and one 
year while the family resided in the country he 
attended the district school. When a boy of 
twelve he entered the glass works of Colonel Cum- 
mings, at the corner of Broadway and Monroe 
Street, St. Louis. His first work was in carrying 
bottles, his wages being ^3.60 a week. He later 
received $4.40, and when he took the position 
of gatherer he received ¥6.60 a week for his ser- 
vices. He remained faithfully at his post until 
1872, when on the 8th of May he left Missouri. 
Coming to Leef Townslii|) he worked on the 
farm of his step-fathei', Rudolph H. Highlander, 
until August 1, 1879, at which date he married 
and began his separate career. 

The lady who is now Mrs. Henschen was for- 
merly IMiss Maggie Meggers, a native of Magga- 
dorf-llolsteiu. Of that place her [larcnts were also 



■|0l( 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL RECORD. 



iiaiivi'-. riii\ huri- the names of Claus and 
Kianka (SidUiy) Mt-gf^cre. They cniigialcd to 
America in tlie year 1867, making a settlement 
near (Jrantfork, in Leef Townsiiip. Mrs. Ilen- 
si-lien was born January 21. 18.07, and by licr mar- 
riage lias become Ibe motber of five children, 
Henry II., .lolin K., Kdward II.. Soiili}' M. and 
Klla N. 

Our worthy subject and wife attend the Pres- 
Itytcrian C'burcii at Aliianibra. The former is a 
stiinch Rejjublkan, wiiich (larty he has supported 
since attaining bis majority. At [>resent be rep- 
resents bis township in the County 15oard,and for 
si.K years was Highway Cuniinissioner and also 
Treasurer for the Road and Bridge Fund for tliree 
years of his inciimboney. For a like pcrioil of 
lime he has been Diiector of the district schools 
and is now Clerk of the Board. Fraternally be is 
a ineniber of (irantfork Camp Nt). t)34, M. W. A^ 
and is Worthy Advisor of bis lodge. When the 
organization of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit As- 
sociation was ill existence in this townslii)) he was 
a member of the raine and holds two sliares in 
their elevator at Highland. 



i@)^ ^^M^ _(§J 

(§5^ 



m 



Rir/ IIAKNNV, proprietor of the Railroad 
Hotel, was born in the village c>f Tliun, 
canton of Berne, Swilzerlaiid, March 11, 
1837. His father, .lohn Haeniiy, a native of can- 
ton Berne also, w.as born in 1800, and desirous of 
establishing a home for the family in America, 
crossed the Atlantic and selected a suital)le place 
for a home. He then started back to the Old 
Country, but bis death occurring in New York, 
prevented the realization of bis wishes. 

After the death of .lohn Haenny the widowed 
mother, who liore the maiden name of Magde- 
leiia Roll, and was born in Canton Berne about 
1808, gathered together her household effects and 
with her cbildieii started for the New World. 
They left Switzerlanti November 10, sailing from 



Havre, France, about the 17tli of that month. 
After a voyage of forty-two days llu'3' reached 
New Orleans, and from there ascended the river to 
AVeinbusch, where they found the river frozen 
over. On the trip up the Mississippi eighty-four 
passengers died of cholera, among them a sister of 
our subject. 

The family reached Highland on Christmas Day 
of 1851, and here, ten years later, the mother 
passed aw.ay. There w^cre eight children in the 
family, of whom Fritz was the tliir<l in order of 
birth. His education was secured in the schools 
of bis native canton, and after coming to this 
country he learned to read and write Fiiglish 
fluently, although not privileged to attend school 
in the I'liitcd .States. Notwithstanding the obsta- 
cles in his path be is well iiifoiiiied,:tiid is as profi- 
cient as an}- business man need be. His first work 
was that of shucking corn, driving cattle and 
breaking prairie. 

Remaining with bis mother until 18G0, our sub- 
ject then married and started out for himself. The 
lady with whom bis fortunes were linked w.as Mrs. 
Eva Marguth, a daughter of Cbiistian Metetier. 
Her birth occurred in .Saline Township. Madison 
County, April 30, 1H40, and by her union she has 
become the motber of six children: August, Ed- 
win, Ida, Arlbur, Kldon and Katie. .Vfter his 
marriage Mr. Haenny was for a time occupied as a 
teamster, after which he became a member of the 
I'niim army. Enlisting in Company I), First Mis- 
souri Cavaliy, he served about two years in Mis- 
souri, .\rkausas and Tennessee. For a lime bis 
company was the body guard of ricncral Hunter 
and Oeneral Sdiolicld. The regiment was mus- 
tered out in the fall of 18G3. 

On his retinii to Highland Mr. Haenny opened 
a biitcbcr shop and later drove a back from High- 
land to Trenton, after which be drove a beer 
wagon for several 3'cars. In 1871 he removed to 
Pierron and built the large biick hotel be has since 
o<,'cui)ie(l. In a(l<litioii to this proiierly be owns a 
farm of eighty-seven .acres in Bond Couiil\, which 
is operated by a tenant. In religious belief he 
and his wife are menibei-s of the Lutheran Church, 
their nearest place of worship being in lligbland. 
Ill politics he was a Repul)licaii until the second 



PORTRAIT AND KIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



501 



election of Abraham Lincoln, since which he has 
affiliated with the Democratic l>arty. For twelve 
years he served as School Director at Pierron, and 
also officiated as Justice of tiie Peace for several 
years. 



^-- 



---^ 



■^ OHN H. DRESLKR, who has been a resident 
of Godfrey Townsiiip since 1872, is, like 
many of the best residents of the farming 
communit}', a native of Germany, having 
been born in Schleswig-Holstein, May 1,1830. He 
is the son of John J. and Elizabeth (C'orls) Dresler, 
also natives of the Fatherland. John G. Dresler, 
the grandfather of our subject, was born in Saxony 
and was a blacksmith by trade. While engaged as 
a journeyman at his trade he, in company with his 
brother, located in that part of Germany where 
John 11. was born, but which at that time belonged 
to Denmark. 

John J. Dresler was the only member of liis 
parents' family to emigrate to the United States. 
His brothers and sister were: Peter, deceased; 
Frederick; Andrew, deceased; and Ann. He was 
educated in the common schools, and upon attain- 
ing mature years commenced farming, owning a 
good estate of his own. He reared a family of two 
sons and one daughter: John H., of this sketch; 
Henry J., who is engaged in the grain business in 
Alton; and Anna, who died when in her eighteenth 
year. Tlie mother of these cliildren died in her 
native land in 1851. 

In 1853 the father of our subject, in company 
with a brother, crossed tlie Atlantic, and on land- 
ing in the New World made their way to Alton, 
where John J. Dresler resided until liis decease, in 
18G0, wlien in his sixtieth year. The original of 
this sketch received his schooling in Germany, and 
when sixteen years of age began learning the 
miller's trade. He was then compelled, like all 
German youths, to enter the army, and served for 
ten months in the war between Denmark and Hol- 
stein. In 1852 he came to the United States, 
spending the first summer in Chicago. He passed 
several months thereafter working out by the day 
and month, or until obtaining a position iu the 



United States Express Office in Alton, whither he 
had come a short time previously. 

In 18()0 Mr. Dresler purchased a farm near the 
city, which he afterward sold, and bought another 
on the American Bottoms. About that time he 
was married to Miss Theresa Kotsch, and to them 
was born a son, John II., Jr. In 1873 he came 
with his family to Godfrej' Township, where he 
owns one hundred and twenty acres of land under 
good tillage. Mr. Dresler still retains the posses- 
sion of his farm on the liottoms. which he rents. 

Our subject and his good wife are regular attend- 
ants and members of the Congregational Church, 
in which body the former has been Trustee. In 
politics he is a Republican and has been Judge of 
Elections, and held the office of School Director for 
six years. John II. Dresler, Jr., is also a member 
of the Congregational Church and at the present 
time is Secretary of the Sunday-school. He is a 
very prominent joung man and is engaged with 
our subject in carrying on his farm. 



"\flOSEPH STAMPER came to this country 
many years ago; he located in this then 
western state, determined to make a success 
of agriculture, and that he has succeeded is 
evidenced by the fact that he is at present resid- 
ing on a good estate located on section 27, God- 
frey Township. He is a native of England and 
was born in Cumberland County, April 17, 1832. 
His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Gray) Stamper, 
were also natives of that country, where the father 
first rented and then owned a well cultivated farm. 
He was in good circumstances and descended from 
one of the old and jjiominent families of Cumber- 
land Count}'. 

Thomas Stamper lived and died in his native 
land, and was the father of a family of eight 
children. Ann, the wife of Robert Hunter, makes 
her home in England, where also Jane, now Mrs. 
James Ilasket, is living. John, Thomas, Frances 
and Isabella are deceased. Our subject was tlie 
next in order of birth, and Sarah, tlie youngest 
of the family, has likewise passed to the home be- 



a02 



ruKl KM r AND BIOGRAPHICAL KECOllD. 



yond. Thomas Stamper died wIumi in liisscvcnty- 
fdurlli year. 

The original of this sketch was educated in tlic 
coninuin schools and remained with his parents 
until ullaininj^ mature years. Then in 1855 he 
determined to emigrate to the United States, and, 
after coming hither, made his first stop in Madi- 
son Count}', III., and in 1870 he wont to Kansas, 
where he remained for six years, lie then came 
to Alton, this stale, and in 18C0 purcli.TScd a part 
of his present farm, including one hundred and 
twenty acres. lie landed in America with some 
means, and, liefoie leaving Kansas, purchased two 
hundred and eighty- acres, which he still owns. 

.lose|)h SUunper was married after coming to 
this county, in 18C.'5. to Miss .lane, daughter of 
Cyrus and Deborah (Delephan) \allelle. She was 
lioiii in Madison Count}-, of which section of 
ciiunlry her parents were early pioneers. IJy her 
union with >Ir. Stamper have heen horn the fol- 
iiiwiiig named seven children: Frances, the wife of 
Shornian I>rown, who lives in .Mloii ; Hohert M., a 
graduate i)f the .lacksmi ville CoMiincicial College; 
Kdith, JIa3',.Toscpli, Fred and Ilany. Tiie daugh- 
ters are graduates of Monticello ScniiiKuy at Cod- 
fiey, this state. 

When Mr. Stanipei' came to his farm in tiiis 
county it was a wild tract, and the only improve- 
ment which It bore was a rude log cabin, lie has 
placed almost the entire acreage under good culli- 
v:ili(jn and has erected two dwellings since that 
time, till' present one being a substantial commo- 
dious pl.'icc of residence. His good wife is a mem- 
ber (if the Congregational Chuieh, and in his po- 
litical sentiments our subjoct voles with the Dimd- 
ocralic party, lie is held in high regard tlirough- 
out the community and inanifesUs a commendable 
interest in everything that pertains to the welfare 
of his township. 



■OC »-H-H"H"H-H'» |g| »»»-H-»»4-»-H-» :X> 

Sl\ l» II. LI AM KKIMIART. Many agricullur- 
\ijj// i>'l-"> whose intrlligcnct', enlcipiisc and pro- 
W^ gressivc spirit are a benelil to any com- 
munity in which they may cast their lot, are to be 
found In Madison County. Such citizens are in 



themselves an educative force, and help Ut form 
the standard to which others less fortunate may 
look. Among this class of rei)resentjitive citizens 
we mention the name of William Reinharl, who 
is engaged in the cultivalit)ii of a portion of the 
Tonlz homestead in Saline ToHiiship. lie is a 
young man of genuine abilit}-, showing more than 
ordinary forethought, keenness and business tact 
in agricultural affairs, and will undoubtedly gain 
an ever increasing suet ess as the years go by. 

A native of Madison County, the sul)ject of 
this sketch was born in Marine Township, Septem- 
ber 26, 18GI, to George M. and I-ouisa (Klepser) 
Ueinliart. For reference to the family history the 
reader is directed to the sketch of George M. 
Heinhait, presented on another page of this 
volume. William, of this sketch, reieived a com- 
nion-school education in the vicinity of his home 
and afterwards was a sludeiil in the business col- 
lege at Spiinglield, 111. Karly in life he gained a 
thorough knowledge C)f agriiiiUure and was thus 
fitted for tiie successful discharge of hi> duties as 
a practical farmer. 

At the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Hemhart 
was united in marriage with Miss Magdalene, 
daughter of .lones and Klizabeth Tout/, and a 
member of one of the old and proiniiunt families 
of JNIadison County. Mrs. Keinliarl was born in 
Saline Township and here received a good educa- 
tion, being a relined and cuIIuumI lady. She was 
orphaned by her nu>thcr's death when she was a 
child; her fatlicr, who was for \ears one of the 
most inlluential farmeis in Saline Township, <lied 
while in Kurope. 

After his marriage Mr. IJcluhait rented land 
belonging to his father-in-law and situated near 
his present farm. After three years in that |ilace 
lie lo(^ated on a [loition of the Tontz estate, where 
he now engages in the cultivation of one hundred 
and fifty acres of fertile land. In religious belief 
he is identified with the Lutheran Church at 
Saline, while his wife belongs to the Christian 
Church of .Marine. They are the i)areiits of four 
children, Kdith A., Kdgar II., Arthur ,1. and 
Mclvin (L, bright and intelligent children, in 
whose welfare the parents take a solicitous interest. 

In |>olitics l\Ir. lieinharl is an adherent of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



503 



Republican party and is deepl}' interested in 
public movements. In 1891 he was chosen Town- 
ship Clerk, serving in that capacity for three years. 
He was then elected Supervisor of the township, 
and in that position he is at present serving. For 
two years lie has been School Director. He is a 
pul)lic-spiritcd man, and one of strong convictions 
of right and wrong, a true and loyal friend and a 
man of sterling character in every direction. 




^'OlIN W. SEOAR. This prominent resident 
of Madison County is one of its largest land 
owners, having in his possession nearl3^ six 
' hundred acres of fine land located in Chou- 
teau Township. For the last ten years he has 
given his attention to the raising of fine fruits, 
and with the exception of tliis industry is retired 
from the active pursuits of life, lie rents the 
greater portion of his land to' reliable tenants and 
in this manner has increased his income. 

Our subject is the son of Balsar Segar, wlio was 
born in (Jermany, and coming to the United Stales 
in 1820, made his way directly to this county and 
located in Chouteau Township, where he first 
worked out by the month. Later he was engaged 
in making sliingies, wliicli he sliipped to St. Louis, 
and in 1822 purchased a quarter-section of land, 
whicli he farmed until his decease, which occurred 
in 1851. He was married the same year he came 
to America to Miss Marj' Emmctte, a native of 
Viiginia, where her l)irth occurred in 1808. She is 
also deceased, having dcp.arlcd this life in 1862. 

.lohii W., of this sketch, was born in 1844, in 
this to \vnslii|i, where he has always made his home. 
In 186.} lie was married to IMiss .Iosei)hinc, daugh- 
ter of Cliarles and Elinor (Waddell) Atkins, early 
pioneers in this state, the Waddells having come 
here in 1786. After his marriage IMr. Segar, in 
company with his brother, William 11., purchased 
three hundred and twenty acres of land on the 
American Bottoms, all of which is now owned by 
22 



our subject, besides much other propert}' in this 
section. He has been more than ordinarily suc- 
cessful in his chosen calling and is now ranked 
among the wealthy members of the farming com- 
munity. He has thirty acres devoted to fruit- 
raising, and for the past ten years he has given bis 
undivided attention to this branch of farming. 

Mr. and Mrs Segar became the parents of thir- 
teen children, of whom six are deceased. Mary 
E., born in the year 1866, is at home; Julia M., 
born in 1869, is married and resides in Olden- 
burg; Jennie, born in 1872, is married and makes 
her home in Venice; Mabel, born in 1874, is at 
home, as are also John A., born in 1878; Ferdi- 
nand, born in 1881, and Lucy, born in 1883. 
They have all been given good educations and are 
fitted to occupy useful and honored positions in 
life. Mrs. Segar is a devoted member of the Baptist 
Church. 

In politics the subject of this sketch is a strong 
Democrat and is interested at all times in the suc- 
cess of his party. He has been School Director 
for four years and is exceedingly popular with all 
classes. Socially, he is an Odd Fellow of good 
standing, belonging to Lodge Ko. 87 in Nameoki. 
Mr. Segar has placed $3,300 worth of improve- 
ineuts on the place which he occupies, besides ex- 
ponding f!3,000 on his rented farm. 



-^= 



■Jr^REDERlCK SCHRUMPF. The highly im- 
) (Moved and prosperous condition of Madi- 
son County is in a large degree due to its 
farming po)iulation, which is for the most part 
composed of men who are strong in character, en- 
ergetic in disposition, sensible in judgment, and 
prompt to take advantage of whatever will prove 
to their benefit. One of this cl.ass is the subject of 
the following paragraphs. His homestead, com- 
prising four hundred and ninety acres, is one of the 
fine farms of Saline Township, with its build- 
ings of neat design, its ricli harvest fields and pas- 
tures. 

Mr. Schrumpf comes of Gerinaii ancestry and is 
himself a native of that ctiuntry, having been born 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



in the Dukedom of Nassau, April 9, 1836. Hispa- 
U'l-nal graiifl father, John Schruinpf, was born near 
AVicshadt'i), Nassau, and was an extensive farmer, 
owninj^ about one hundred acres, but lost much of 
his property during the wars of the early part of 
this century, lie served as a teamster during tiie 
war. His entire life was passed in Germany, where 
\w (lied at the age of sevent3'-two years. His 
children were: William, father of our subject; 
George, a carriage-maker in Dresden, Saxony; 
Elizabeth, wife of Philip Sterger, and Dorothy, 
who was twice married, her second husband being 
Di'. Lang, of Frankfort. 

In the schools of Germany, William Sclirumpf 
received a good education. His chosen occupa- 
tion was that of .agriculture, in which he was suc- 
cessful, becoming the owner of forty acres, which 
he disposed of at *1.35 per acre. He married Chris- 
tiana .Schreiner, and they became the parents of 
eight children, as follows: George, a farmer of Mis- 
souri; Catherine, wife of Jacob Lendel, a farmer in 
the Old Country; Minna, widow of Peter Ueinemer, 
formerly an agriculturist of Bond County-, 111; Wil- 
liam, who lives in Kansas; Fred, our subject; Peter, 
who is engaged in farming in Bond County, 111.; 
Christina, twice married and now deceased; and 
Sophia, wliii niari'ii'd Henry Kropf, of Madison 
County. 

When seventeen years of age William .Schrumpf 
entered the German army and worked as a team- 
ster for two years in liis father's place. In 1856 
he emigrated to America and settled in Missouri. 
Later he came to Madison County and here his 
death occurred at the age of eighty. His wife died 
when our subject was seventeen years old. They 
were both members of the German Lutheran 
Church, in which the father was for many years 
Director. While living in Nassau he served as 
Town Clerk about fifteen years. He was well-to- 
do, and at his death each of his children received 
* 1,400. 

After completing his common-school studies, 
our subject learned the wagon-maker's trade in 
N.assau, completing his apprenticeship at the age of 
seventeen. His father then gave him enough 
money to pay his p.assage to America, with which 
he started upon his long journey. Off the coast of 



England the ship struck a sand bar and for one 
whole night the passengers expected each moment 
tiiat the vessel would sink. However, they es- 
caped shipwreck and comi)leted the voy.age in 
safety, landing in New Orleans in 1853. There 
oursuliject took a steamboat for St. Louis, but on 
reaching Cairo the river w.is blocked with ice, so 
the remainder of the journey was completed on 
foot. 

Reaching St. Louis, Mr. Schrumpf was there em- 
ployed at his trade for one j'ear. Then proceed- 
ing to Perryville, Mo., he was employed liy olliers 
a few months, after which he and another gentle- 
man started a shop of their own and for three 
jears engaged in the manufacture of wagons ami 
buggies. The conlinement of the shop injured 
his hcaltii, and obliged to retire from business, he 
commenced farming. Purchasing properly in 
Perry County, Mo., he tilled the soil of its two 
hundred acres for a period of six years. For four 
years he was in the state militia of Missouri, serv- 
ing for a time as Corporal, and later becoming 
Sergeant of the Sixty-fourth Cavaliy. He took 
part in numerous skirmishes and at one time was 
serverely injured, having his shoulder broken by 
falling off a horse. 

At the close of the war Mr. Schrumpf disposed 
of his Missouri i)roperty and came to Madison 
County. On leaving Perry County, he and tiie 
neighbors who accompanied him were cibliged to 
camp out at night in the timber in order to [ire- 
serve their lives from the bushwhackers. Arriv- 
ing in this county he bought seventy- live acres, to 
which he afterward added, until his possessions now 
aggregate four hundred and ninety acres. Polit- 
ically a Republican, he has served as School Di- 
rector for fifteen years and was also Highway 
Commissioner of the township for nine years. 
With his wife he holds membership in the Lutheran 
Church at Saline, in which he is one of the direc- 
tors. 

In 1857, Mr. Schrumpf married Miss Johanna, 
daughter of George and Barbara (Poehner) Kropf, 
and a native of (Jermany. At the age of thirteen 
years she accompanied her parents to America and 
settled in Perry County, Mo. In Germany her 
father had engaged both in fanning and milling. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



605 



and in Missouri lie devoted his attention exclu- 
sively to agiiculUire. Oiii- subject's children are 
six in nunjiier, namely: Hemy, who married Lena 
Tonlz; Barbara, wife of Otto Augstiene; Peter, 
who married Rosa Ambuehl; Louisa, wife of John 
Hirschi; William and Christina. 



(^ 



^") 



G= 



mwm^ 



=^ 



S\ 



OIIN M. CREANE. It is with pleasure that 
we give the life histor\' of this prominent 
,^ resident of Madison County, in whose up- 
\}^!//' building and progress he has ever taken 
a prominent part. He is also one of the largest, 
if not the largest, land owner in the section, hav- 
ing in his possession over nine hundred acres of 
valuable land, three hundred and sixty acres of 
which lie on section 3-t, and forty acres on section 
17, New Douglas Townshli>, and the remainder in 
Bond County. 

The subject of this sketch is a native of L'eland, 
having been born in County Wexford, March 25, 
1842. He is the son of Philip Creane, who in turn 
was the son (jf Philip Creane, .Sr., also natives of 
the Emeiald Isle, where the father was born in 
17',)2 and died in 1870. The mother of our sub- 
ject, prior to hei- marriage Anastasia Prendergast, 
was likewise born in County Wexford in 1807 and 
spent her entire life in that county, dying in 1874. 

John M. was about thirty years of age when he 
turned his back upon his native home, eml)arking 
at (^ueenstown on the "City of Philadelphia," 
which lauded him in Castle tlarden eight daj's 
later. He remained for a few days in the city of 
New York, when he [)roceeded to Batavia, this 
state, and a short time thereafter we find him lo- 
cated in Chicago, where he worked for two years 
as a mason and an employe in the packing houses. 
Wlien leaving the (iarden City he came to this 
county, and being favorably impressed with the 
soil of New Douglas Township, made a location on 
a portion of his present estate. He first leased the 
farm fiom his uncle, and in 1877 purchased it, this 



being the nucleus of his many broad acres in this 
and Bond County. 

The marriage of Mr. Creane took place October 
13, 1876, when Miss Bridget U., daughter of 
Michael and Mary (Ford) Kelley, became his wife. 
Mrs. Creane was the third in order of birth of her 
parents' family of ten children, they being natives 
of Counties Galway and Clare, Ireland, respect- 
ively. Mr. and IMrs. Kelley dei)arted from their 
native Isle in 1848, and landing in New Orleans, 
proceeded up the Mississippi River to Alton, 
whence they went to Macoupin County, where 
Miss Bridget was born August 6, 1851. Later the 
family removed to Montgomery County, locating 
in Litchfield, where Mrs. Creane received her edu- 
cation and met and married our subject. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Creane has been granted a 
family of five sons and five daughters, all of whom 
survive, namel3-: I'hilip J., Mary A., Bridget P., 
Ann Jose|>hine, ISIiehael E., Francis T., John C, 
James, Rose A. and Ellen L. The parents are de- 
voted members of the Catholic Church, worsliiping 
with the church in New Douglas. In politics our 
subject is inde|)endent, reserving his right to vote 
for the man instead of the [larty. He takes great 
interest in educational matters and h.as rendered 
valuable service for many terms as a member of 
the .School Board. 



-S) <" T ■■> IS" 



'~Si 



»l WILBUR CLAY HADLEY is President of 
vAyf *"'"' ^^^^^ Bank of Collinsville, which was 
W^l organized in the spring of 18'J1. He is a 
native of Madison County, having been born in 
Collinsville Township August 28, 1842, and is the 
fifth in order of birth of a famih* of six children 
born to the Rev. William and Diadania (iMcKinney ) 
Had ley. 

The father of our subject was born in Adair 
County, Ky., in 1806, and at the age of eleven 
years came with his parents to this county, locating 
with them about three miles north of Collinsville. 
His father being a man of limited means he was 
not given the advantages of school privileges and 



506 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



WHS only pormittcd to attend for three weeks when 
.1 lad of lliirleen years, and two years later was a 
student in the district school for the same length 
of time. He learned the alphabet himself and 
spent his early life on the farm, later working for 
oilier people, receiving as his wages thirty-seven 
and a-lialf cents per day. 

One year after allaiiiiiig his m.ijorily William 
lladley learned the carpenter's trade, which occu- 
pation he followed for ahout five ^years, and during 
that time erected frame buildings which were 
landmarks in Ibis county for man}' years. In the 
spring of 1831 he began farming, breaking, 
fencing and putting in eighteen acres of corn that 
season. He continued as a tiller of the soil until 
1863, havingat that time one bundled and seventy- 
five acres of the finest land in the county, all of 
wliieb was under an admirable state of cultivation. 

The mother of our subject was born in this 
county in 180'.l, and here spent her entire life, 
dying March 8, 18(J3. Later William Hadley 
retired from the farm and went to the southern 
part of the state, making it his business to look 
after friiil farms which he owned in that section. 
Wiiile in that portion of the country he was a 
second liiiR' married, in 18(!4, being united with 
Mrs. Mary J. (Wing) Colder, a native of Maine. 
She was born in 1821 and was the daughter of 
Gideon and .Sarah Wing. 

While residing in southern Illinois, William 
Hadley planted a poach orchard, in 18.5(), and four 
years later realized *8,()00 from it and >!7,000 the 
following year. He made his home in Carbondale 
for some eighteen years, returning to Collinsvillc 
in the siiring of 1883, where he has since made his 
home. He is now (1894) in the eighty-eighth 
year of his age, but is more active than many who 
are his juniors. He is a <levote<l member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and for many years 
filled the puli)it as a local minister, having been 
ordained in 1833. He is a member of the Old 
Seltlere' I'nion of Madison Count}' and is the 
eldest but one in that order. 

Wilbur, of this sketch, received his primary 
education in the district schools and later attended 
the Collinsville Hiirh School. Attlieajje of ei<di- 
teen he entereii McKendree College, at Lebanon, 



III., where he was a student for al)out two veal's, 
and afterwards tiM>k a course in .lones" Business 
College of St. Louis. When attaining his majority 
he began life's striiy;glcs for himself, first engaging 
in farming and afterward in teaching school. 
Being thus occupied for a short time, he went to 
St. Louis and for eight months conducted a hotel, 
in which he was fairly successful. He then returned 
to this state, and going to the soullierii portion, 
again engaged in farm pursuits for a lime, return- 
ing to this county in the fall of 1865. Afterward 
he managed the old homestead for about twenty 
jeais. He moved to CoUinsville in 18fi;» and has 
since been intimately associated with the interests 
of this place. 

In 1871 Wilbur lladley emiiarked in the mer- 
cantile l)usines.'> ill this city, in which he continued 
until 188(1, when he again turned his attention to 
the farm. Vvuv years later he agjiin entered the 
niercaiilile business at the old stand and was thus 
ideiililied until the s|)riiig of 181)1, when with 
others he organized the State Hank of CoUinsville. 
Of this institution he was unanimously cliosen 
president. 

Ill 18(16 Mr. Hadley was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Sophronia, daughter of .Sidney 
and Sina (Davidson) Smith, and to them h.as been 
born a family of six children, one of whom died 
in infancy. Those living are Alice J., Hertha 
May, Elavia Josephine, William Edwin and Mary 
.lulia, all at home with their parents. William E. 
IS a practicing attoriic}' in CoUinsville, where he 
occupies a high position among the leading men in 
that profession. He was graduated from the law 
deiiartment of McKendree College at the age 
of twenty years and received his license on his 
tweiity-lirst birthday. 

iMrs. Hadley is a member of the .Methodist C'hurcli. 
Socially our subject belongs to CoUinsville Lodge 
No. 712, A. K. & A. M., Unity Chapter No. 182. 
at Collinsvillc, Tancred Commandery No. 50 at 
Belleville, and the Oriental Consistory of Chicago. 
In politics he is a pronounced Kepiiblican, having 
always cast his vote and inlluence in favor of that 
party. He has served his township as Supervisor, 
being the only Republican ever elected tf> that 
position from CoUinsville Township. In ISS'J he 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



507 



was chosen by the Board of Supervisors (unsolic- 
ited hy himself) to fill an unexpired term as 
County Treasurer and during his incumbency of 
the oltice acquitted himself with credit and satis- 
faction. 

^^^^ P • 



fEV. .JOHN F. SCHIERBAUM, pastor of the 
\ General Christian Church of Grantfork, was 
\»\ born in Osnalnuck, Hanover, Germany, 
.June 4, 183,0. He is the son of Ernest and 
Elizabetii (Preckewinkel) Schierbaum,both natives 
of Hanover, the former iiaviug been born in 1803. 
The maternal grandfather, Fred Preckewinkel, was 
a lifelong resident of the same kingdom, as was 
also the paternal giandfathcr. 

The subject of this notice was reared upon his 
father's farm, and secured his early education in 
the parochial schools of his native village. At the 
age of fifteen years he received confirmation in 
the Lutheran Church, after which he was employed 
b}' neighboring farmers. Much of his time until 
his twenty-first year w.as spent in travel, his jour- 
neyings including several provinces in northern 
Germany. Upon attaining his majority he entered 
the mission school at P>armen, in Rhineland, Ger- 
man >', under the auspices of a society that educa- 
ted young i)rotestant ministers to be sent to Ger- 
man churches in America. 

After having attended the mission school some 
years, Mr. Schierbaum was graduated in May, 
1863. During his study there he spent two years 
in service for the church. Having completed his 
theological course he started for his field of labor 
in the New World, embarking at Bremen May 24, 
1863, on the steamer "Bremen & America." After 
a voyage of twelve days he landed in New York. 
One of the first sights that greeted his eyes was a 
company of soldiers from Vicksburg, whose flags 
and clothing showed the marks of bullets from 
hostile guns. 

Remaining in New York three days, Mr. Schier- 
baum found a countryman. Rev. Professor Raus- 
chenbusch, professor in a P)aptist College at Koch- 
ester, who invited him to become his guest, 
promising an excursion to Niagara P^alls. After 



a week's sojourn in Rochester and a week in Niag- 
ara City, our subject departed for Vincennes, Ind., 
where the three ensuing weeks were spent. De- 
parting thence to St. Louis, he was ordained in St. 
John's Evangelical Church, corner Madison and 
Fourteenth Streets, July 27, 1863. The first posi- 
tion assigned him was at Gasconade Ferry, Mo., 
where he remained five years. It was at the close 
of his ministry there that he took out the papers 
necessary to naturalization as a citizen of the 
United States. 

During his ministry at G.asconade Ferry, Mr. 
Schierbaum had an exciting experience, in October, 
1864, during the raid of General Price. Together 
with eleven neighbors he fled to a cave on the 
bluffs of the G.asconade, where they remained in 
hiding three d.ays. On their return home they 
found the place sacked. The wardrobe in which 
ISIr. Schierbaum 's clothing was kept had been 
broken open (the scars remainingon it to-day) and 
his clothing all taken away. 

While at Gasconade, Mr. Schierbaum was united 
in marriage, June 12, 186.5, with Miss Helena, 
daughter of William Brand, of Elberfleld, Rhine- 
land, Germany. This lady died October 12, 1866, 
and her body, together with that of her infant son, 
was interred in the Gasconade Cemetery. August 
4, 1868, Mr. Schierbaum married Ann Dorothy 
Klick, who was born in the province of Pommen, 
Germany, May 4, 1851, being a daughter of Mar- 
tin and Caroline (Bock) Klick, also natives of that 
province. When she was six years old she came 
with her parents to America, settling in Gasconade 
County, Mo., where she met and married our sub- 
ject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Schierbaum became the parents of 
twelve children, of whom Lydia, Hulda, Paulina 
and Jonathan are deceased. The others are, Tim- 
othy, a millwright in St. Louis; John, a clerk in a 
book store in St. Louis; Emanuel, who is engaged 
in the priictice of medicine at Marine, III.; Corne- 
lia, Danioi, Magdalena, Benjamin and Samuel, who 
reside with their parents. 

At the close of his five }'ears' service at Gascon- 
ade, Mr. Schierbaum crossed over into Warren 
County, Mo., and assumed charge of the church of 
Holslein, where he occupied the pulpit eleven 



508 



PORTRAIT AND niOORAPIIlCAL RECORD. 



years. r)iirm'» four years of lii> m>j<puiii at lliil- 
jili'in he lind serious trouble with his thronl. but 
l>ein'r near their denominational seminar)' at Mar- 
tyi'svillp, a sultslitute, when necessary, was easily 
supplied. 

From llolstein Mr. St-liierbaum was transferred 
to St. Paul's Kvanijelical Church in Kdwardsville 
Township, five miles from Ktlwardsville, 111. There 
he ministered to his people until March 4, 1885. 
For the five succeedinj; veal's he was not actively 
connected with the ministry, but had charge of the 
springs at t)kawville. III., where he built a large 
hotel. After returning to the ministry he still re- 
tained a large interest in the hotel. June 15, 
I8!I0, he assumed the pastoi-ate of the Genera! 
Christian Church of Grantfork, where he is now 
■vtively engaged in preaching the Gospel. Dur- 
ing his thirty-one years' ministry, he has been a 
member of the Kvangelical Synod of North Amer- 
ica. Politically, he has cast his induenee with the 
Republican party. 



JOHN WISNASKY, the owner of a i)leasant 
home and well improved farm in Leef 
Township, is a native of Poland and was 
.^^ born on Christm.as Day of 1840. He is the 
son of Maddox and Mary Wisnasky, who were 
likewise natives vf Poland and people of limited 
means, forced to exercise the greatest economy in 
the maintenance of their childi-en. The father de- 
pended u|>on each day's work for the suiiport of 
his family, but after his death, which occurred 
when .lohn w.as a boy of ten years, the children 
were thrown upon their own resources. They 
were four in number: John; Jacob, deceased; 
.Mexander. dt-ceased; and William. 

Obliged to gam his livelihood from childhood, 
our subject was employed .as a farm laltdr^r for a 
numltor of ycai-s and, as may be imagined, his ad- 
vantages were vei-y few. While still a resident of 
Poland he married Miss Amelia Lunitz,a native 
of that country and a daughter of .lohn and Ho>a 
Liinilz. Four vears after his marriage he (leiideil 



to seek a home in the New World and in 18G8 
crossed the ocean, encountering severe st4)rnis im 
the voyage. Three times the sails were taken off 
the vessel, and often the lives of the pa.ssengers 
seemed in the greatest danger, but fortunately the 
ship breasted the storm and landed safe in the har- 
bor after a voy.age of three months. 

On reaching St. Louis our subject had but H. 
He had, however, an abundance of determination 
and pluck, and coming to Alhambra Townslii]>. 
Madison County, he worked in the employ of 
others for two years. During that time he saved 
a sutticient amount of money to enable him to 
send for his wife and two children, who soon after- 
ward joined him here. For ten years afterward he 
operated a rented farm, and through economy and 
frugality w.as able, at the expiration of that time, 
to purchase the eighty-acre tract where he now 
lives. At the time of coming here the buildings 
were old and weather-beaten, but they have l)eeii 
replaced by a set of substantial buildings, adapted 
to their varied uses. 

Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. John 
Wisnasky, the eldest died in infancy, and the 
youngest, John, died at the .age of nine years. 
The others are: Gusla, wife of (ieorge Kroder; 
Gustavus, who married Josephine Overbeck: 
Amelia, wife of Robert Dickson, a soldier now 
Iwated in Oklahoma Territory; Klizabeth. Mrs. 
Louis Klaus; Emma, Christena, Christian and 
Anna. The family worships at the Catholic 
Church of Saline, in which they are ctmsistent 
members. Politically Mr. Wisnasky advoc;ites the 
principles of the DeiiHX^ratic party, and by his 
ballot uniformly sup^K)rts its candidates. 

oris RIKDY. Madison County is fortu- 
J) natc in that the agriculturists who form 
such an important proportion of her popu- 
lation are in general a highly intelligent, ener- 
getic, thrifty and busuiess-like d.ass of men. One 
of these, Louis Rucdy, is the subject of the fol- 
lowing parag?"aphs. At the present time he occu- 
pies and oi>erates a valuable eighty-acre farm situ- 
ated on section 2G, Lecf Township. This laud, 
through persistent industry and good manage- 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



509 



iiient, he has placed under excellent cultivation, 
and it is further enihellishod with numerous and 
suitable l)uildings. A man of bioad knowledoe 
and abilit3', possessing also the genial courtesy of 
manner which wins and retains friends, he merits 
the high regard in which he is lield by all wlio 
Ivnow him. 

Many of tiie best citizens of Madison County 
are of foreign birtli or parentage. Mr. Ruedy is 
of Swiss descent, his |)arents, Daniel and Mary 
(MarguLh) Ruedy, liaving been born in Switzer- 
land. The family emigrated to the United States 
in IS 10 and for a time resided in Clinton County, 
111. In the fall of IS.")? the father came to Madi- 
son County and settled upon land that he pur- 
chased on section 26, Leef Township. Here he en- 
gaged in farming for some time, but at the present 
time resides on section 3, Saline Township. For 
further information regarding his life the reader 
is referred to his sketch presented on another page 
of this volume. 

The subject of this sketch was born near Sebas- 
topol, in Clinton County, III., February 10, 1857. 
When but a few months old he was brought b^' his 
parents to Madison Count}', where his life has 
since been passed. In childhood d.ays he attended 
thedisti'ict schools, gaining there a practical edu- 
cation that fitted him for the active duties of life. 
He was in order of birtli the sixth among sixteen 
children, and the family being so large, he was, as 
may readily be understood, early obliged to assist 
in their maintenance. Until the time of his mar- 
riage he remained under the paternal roof. Feb- 
ruary 14, 1881, he was married to Elizabeth 
I miner, who died in the spring of 1885. 

Ill March, 1889, Louis Ruedy and Miss Sophie 
Schrumpf were united in marriage. Mrs. Ruedy 
was born three miles east of Pocahontas, Ijond 
County, 111., February 29, 18G8, an^l is the daugh- 
ter of Peter and Elizabeth (Mullet) Schrumpf, 
natives respectively of Germany and Switzerland. 
In her religious belief she is a Lutheran, and with 
her husband is an attendant at the services of tliat 
church. Politically Mr. Ruedy is a stanch Repub- 
lican and believes in protection for American in- 
dustries, lie has officiated in a number of public 
cap.acities, and at the present time is serving as 



School Director of his district. No measure pro- 
posed having for its object the direct or indirect 
promotion of the welfare of the township fails to 
receive his hearty co-operation and enthusiastic 
support, and he is therefore justly entitled to con- 
sideration among the progressive citizens of his 
community. 

' — ^m c^ — • 



<| I^ILLIAM HENRY STALLINGS, a well-to- 
\/iJ// <^o farmer of Leef Township, is President 
\^^ of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance 
Company, and is favorably known in these parts. 
He has frequently held public oilices of trust, dis- 
charging the duties pertaining thereto to the great 
satisfaction of all. He was born May 15, 1857, in 
Leef Township, and is a son of Harrison and Mary 
(Varner) Stallings. A sketch of the former ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. 

The early education of our subject was obtained 
in the country schools of his native township, and 
it was later his privilege to attend Shurtleff Col- 
lege during the winters of 1875-76 and 1880-81. 
In 1869 his father removed to a farm which he 
owned in the American Bottom, residing there un- 
til 1875, when the family removed to the home- 
stead in Leef Township. 

From boyhood Mr. Stallings has devoted his 
time and attention to .agricultural pursuits and his 
present fine farm is the one adjoining the old 
homestead on which he was born. His property 
is known as the Willow Hedge Farm and com- 
prises within Its boundaries some two hundred and 
forty acres. In addition to his home farm he 
owns two hundred and forty acres in Olive Town- 
ship and one hundred and sixty acres on sections 
4 and 9, Leef Township. His industrious efforts 
have met with great success and he is accounted 
one of the practical farmers of the district. 

On March 22, 1885, Mr. Stallings married Miss 
Alice, daughter of Edward and Lucinda (Pierce) 
Warderman, natives of Columbia and Alexandria, 
111., respectively. The father w.as born March 4, 
1831, and the mother on January 31, 1837. Their 
marriage was celebrated at Edwardsville, August 
12, 1855, and of their family of nine children Mrs. 



ilO 



IVKTRAIT AND BKKIRAI'MICAL RECORD. 



Stallinor^ IS the second in order of birth. To our 
siilijei't ami liis wife were iHmi fiuir cliiMren. 
Willitiuj Henry. .Ir.. W.Hrtierinan IMeroc, Lulu IWlle 
.•imi Helen Varner. Tlie inotlier is .•» nieinl>erof tlie 
It:ipti>t C'hurvh of Alh.anibra. 

In jH>lilios tlie subjei't of tliis sketcli is .•» lliorough. 
inuxunprvuiiisipg Proliil'itiotiist. and is Cliairuian 
of the County Central and Kxevutive Comniitees. 
In July. 1898. he was ap|iointe<J Township Tr«is- 
urer on the defalcation of the rei:ular otKcial. As 
long as the Farmers' Mutual InMiolit Astsooiation 
existed in this township Mr. St.allings was identi- 
tieti with it. but has not held nienibenjhip in any 
other seeret six'iety. He is President of the 
Farmers" Mutual Fir* Insurance Com|v»ny. which 
incUulos the district of New lK>ugl.<is, I.oef and AU 
hambra Townshi^ts. 



ARRISON STAI.LIXGS. formerly an hon- 

f ore<l citizen of Leef Township. Madison 

County, of wliioli he was a native. w:is In^rn 

(^ near Nanieoki M.ai-ch IS. 18*8. His father. 
Henry Stalling^, was In^rn near Fallini: Springs, in 
St. Clair County. 111., aN>ut the year 1800. and his 
death occurred in 1865. His wife. Rosanna (Km- 
mett) .Stallings. was born IVcember 31. ISOo. and 
survive*! until .lanuary U, 1889. The Stalling* 
family is of French origin, and prolwbly came with 
the early French settlers who foundeil Ka:skaskia. 
Our subject's grandfather Stallings. was of a 
merry and genial dis(K«ition, and his wife, like 
many old ji«H>ple of her day. enjoyed tolwt^cv^. a 
thing the husltand disliketi and Si>methtng he never 
use*!. To keep his wife frt>ni its use he often hid 
her pijie and spilleil her tobacco. However she 
continued in this practice until her death, some 
thirty-five years after her worthy tvnsort was 
gathereil to his fathers. 

The marriage of our subject occurred July 10. 
184S>. with Miss Mary A., daughter of Jai-ob and 
Nancy (^J.^ckson> Varner. The former was b«irn 
in Virginia in 1796. and in 180^ was bn.>Ui;ht to 



' Illinois by his father. Abraham Varner. who estab- 
lished a blacksmith shop at IVIIeville. ^^t. Clair 
County. He was offered a sei-tion of land in what 
is now ihe heart of St. I.ouis if he woulil o(H^n a 
slu>p there; but at that time there was only a few 
log huts on the site of what is now a great city, 
and the Indians of the Uxtility were very hostile. 
Nancy J.-tckson was a daughter i>f Joel Jackson, 
whoise father was a soldier in the Revolution, and 
his cousin was the famous "Stonewall" Jacks«:>n. 

To Mr. anil Mi-s. Harrison Stalling^ nine children 
were lx>rn. five of whom survive. They are: 
■\Villiam Henry, who is engaged in farming on sec 
tion 3. near the old homesleail: Rose 15.. wife of 
H. M. Dixon; Allen, who is engaged in farming 
near Centralia. Audrain County. Mo.; Thomas, 
who is a farmer near Centralia. Jefferson Coun- 

I ly. 111.: and Andrvw J., a farmer of Bond County. 
III. Three children died in infancy, and Jacob 
also died in childh«.H>d. The father died IVi-ein- 
ber 3. 1873. near the old homestead in Nameoki 
Township, at .Stallings ."station. His widow, who 
is yet living, makes her home on a farm compris- 
ing four hundre*! and eighty acres on section 3, 
I.eef Township. 

.\t the time of his death our subject was the 
owner of one thousand .ncres of land, most of 
which he has acipiirevl through the exercise of his 
natural tiualities of industry and goixl business 
methods. Like all of his name he was a supporter 
of the Democratic i>arty. Though he made it a 
point not to accept i>etty otliccs to the neghvt of 
his business affairs, he fretjuently served as School 
Director or Trustee. Mrs. Stallings, as a girl, was 
a Methodist, but since removing to Leef Township 
has l>ecn allied with the Rnptist denomination, and 
her daughter, Mrs. Dixon, is also of the same faith. 

« 4^ i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 H ' jgl: M < i 1 1 1 1 <■ H ' > X> 

ANIEL RIKDY. The labors which have 
resulted in the present high state of de- 
velopment noticeable in Madison County 
have l>een largely particii>ate»l in by the 
gentleman at>ove nametl, who is one of the promi- 
nent farmers and old residents of Leef and Saliue 
Townshii>s. He is a native of Switzerland, hav ing 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



511 



been liiiiii ill lln' vill:i^e of Monsteiii, Canton 
flrauhiiciKlfii, Dccciiilicr 10, lH2;i. His life, liow- 
evci', has been spent |)iinci|iail y in this countiy, 
ami iie is a loyal su|)|)orter of its iiistitiitif>ns, 
thoiii(h not foi<,'elfnl of the land of his birth. 

The father of our subject, Sebastian Kiie(ly,also 
a native of Canton Graubuenrlen, was boin Au- 
gust 6, 1800. 'J'lio mother, Catlifiriiic, was a daugh- 
ter of Daniel and Anna(llitz) I larch, the latter 
horn in Switzerland and the former a nobleman 
of foreign bii'th, who, [jreferring a republic to a 
monarchy, settled in Switzerland, about 17H0. 
Daniel was the eldest of twelve children, of whom 
two sons and live daughters now survive. 

In 1840 Sebastian Ruedy with his family and 
worldly possessions set out for the New World, 
beginning the jonrne}- on the }th of May. After 
having liavcled for nearly three weeks in wagons 
lie reached Havre, France, May 22, and four days 
later embarked in an old vessel, "The Cnion," 
reaching New Orleans August 12. It is said that 
"The Union" foundered and sank on the return 
trip to France. After two days spent in New 
Orleans the family was transferred to a river 
steamer and ascended the great river to St. Louis, 
the trip occupying about ten days. From .St. Louis 
they proceeded by wagon to Highland, to which 
point they had been preceded by many natives 
of the mother lopublic. 

In the schools of his native land our subject 
received a fair education; at the age of fifteen 
lie was confirmed in the Kvangelical Lutheran 
Church. His first work was in a brick yard, for 
which he received ^8 per month. Accustomed to 
the i)ure invigorating air of the Swiss mountains, 
the swamps and low grounds along the river filled 
his system with malaria and he was taken down 
with chills and fever. As soon .as able he resumed 
work, following anj' occupation that would aid in 
the support of the family. 

In the spring of 1841 Sebastian Ruedy rented a 
farm about one mile northwest of Highland, and 
here the family liegan life in earnest in the New 
World. In 1842 the father entered a tr.oct of forty- 
acres, and the others at once commenced to work 
in order to help pay for the property. The daugh- 
ter worked for %i per numtli and helped to pay 



for the home. In .l.'inuaryof IKIO Dariifj, still 
being in ill lie;iltli and the doctors rccoiniiiciiding 
a change of climalo, departed for Cincinnati, 
where he sociiied a position ,'is waiter in ;i hotel. 
Later he obtained a similar position on a steam- 
boat plying between Cincinnati and New Orleans, 
and afterward between the latter city ami St. Louis. 
He took one trip iij) the Illinois River, in which 
the steamer was disabled, and later took two trips 
up the Mi.ssoiiri, in which liolh boats were wrecked. 

This was so discouraging that Daniel concluded 
to quit the river for that season. It was well that 
he did so, for had he taken a position on one of 
the boats at St. Louis all his pos.sessions would have 
been lost, for that was the ye.ar of the great lire 
along the river when many boats were burned. 
Returning to Highland late in .June, 1810, he 
found his father in ill health. The unfavorable 
symptoms developed into typhoid fever early in 
.July, resulting in his death on the 21st of that 
month. 

After the death of his father our subject re- 
mained with his mother and took charge of the 
home farm. .lanuary 4, 18.51, he married Miss 
Maria, daughter of Stephen and Manga (Schmidt) 
Margutli, natives of Cantfm Graubiienden, Switz- 
erland. She was t)orn in the village of .lanatc, 
October .3, 1832, and by her union with Mr. Ruedy 
became the mother of sixteen children, of whom 
thirteen survive. Of them we note the following: 
Charles resides in North Ontario, Cal., where he 
owns an orange grove; Mary is the wife of .Jacob 
Leef, .Jr., a blacksmith of Alhambra; (Catherine 
married Emit Utiger, a fanner residing near Deni- 
son, in Grayson County, Tex.; Louis, who con- 
ducts agricultural pursuits on section 2(j, Leef 
Township, is represented elsewhere in this volume; 
Einil and Emma are twins, the former in the life 
insurance business at Mempliis, Tenn., and the lat- 
ter the wifeof Robert Walter, a farmer living near 
Rush Hill. Audrain County, Mo.; Eva is the wife 
of Albert Knabel, whose home is near Rush Hill, 
Mo.; Jx>uisa, who married Rudolph Miller, lives 
on the old homestead in Leef Township; Manga is 
the wife of Christian Tontz, .Jr., a farmer residing 
near the town of Panhandle, Tex.; Caroline, who 
married Herman Klaus, lives on a farm located on 



.-.12 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



>eciii>ii ■i.'i. I.fi'f lu« ii>lii|); Bertlia is the wife of 
Simon Hrown, wlio!-o lumic is on section 3.'», I.ccf 
Towiisliip; Annie mnnicd Paul Vebeek, who is 
oonneeU'd with the street car lines of St Louis; 
and l{ol)ert, a youth of nineteen years, is now 
engaged in farming in Leef and Saline Townships. 
In religious helief both Mr. and Mrs. Ruedy are 
identified witli the Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of Saline. Politically he has advocated Repub- 
lican principles since before the war. For two 
terms he served as Supervisor of Leef Township. 
Without his knowledge he was elected Justice of 
the Peace. lie has also ollieiated .is Road t)ver- 
secr and Director of .Schools, and for ten yeai-s 
tilled the position of Townshi|> Tre.<»surer. 



^)>-^<i 



E. IIARNSREROER. M. D.. is a succesisful 
physician of Alhauibra, in which place he 

ijf^ has practiced for eight years. He comes of 
an old Virginian family. His giandfatlier, Eph- 
raim Ilarnsbergi-r, cnngraled from the Old Domin- 
ion to Kentucky in 1815. The family is of Swiss 
origin and was founded in N'irginia during Colc)- 
nial days. 

Levi Ilarnsberger, father of our subject, was Iwvn 
in RiK'kingham County, ^'a., in 1811, was reared in 
Trigg County, Ky., and in 18;il came to Illinois, 
settling in Alhambra Township, Madison County, 
lie wedded Nancy E., daughter of .lames Tunnell. 
Her grandfather, William Tunnell, was an English- 
man. Her father wasa native of North Carolina, but 
was reared in Tennessee, and during the War of 
1812 served as Captain of a Tennessee Company. 
Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Dicy 
Iloskins, W.1S a native of Tennessee, and a daughter 
of Elias Iloskins, who was born in England. Mrs. 
Ilarnsberger was born in Tennessee, February 2, 
181/), and in 1817 was brought by her parents to 
Madison County, the family becoming pioneers of 
Wood River Township. Mr. Tunnell made his 
own sugar, raised his own tobacco and killed wild 
game to suppl_v the tabic with meat. Tlic family 



experienced all the hardships and trials of pioneer 
life. His death occurred in 182.'), and his wife 
passed aw.ay in 1846. They had two children: 
Mrs. Ilarnsberger; and William W., who married 
Letitia McKee. by whom he had four sons and a 
daughter. The parents arc both deceased. The 
father of our subject has two brothers and two sis- 
tei-s now living: Mrs. Mary lloxsey, of .St. Louis, 
who has three children; Mrs. Martha Aldrich, ,of 
Minnesota; Louis, who lives in Prescott, Wis., and 
has three children; Ei)hraim, who is also of Pres- 
cott and has three children. 

The Doctor's parents were married December 2, 
1841, and took u[i their residence where our sub- 
ject now resides. The father was t)ne of the i)rom- 
inenl farmers of the township ami was very suc- 
cessful in his undertakings. In politics he was a 
stalwart Republican. His death occurred June '.», 
1890, but his widow still survives him. They had 
four children, three yet living: Mary .1., widow of 
11. T. Wood, of New Douglas; William Augustus, 
an attorney of Kansas City; and C. E. I?oth par- 
ents became members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church in 1858, and their lives were in harmony 
with their professions. They gave their children 
good educati(mal privileges and William Augustus 
graduated from McKendree College in 1874, and 
from Cnion Law Ctillege in the year 1877. The 
daughter w.as a student in Lebanon and Greenville. 
III. 

We now take u)) the personal history of Dr. 
Ilarnsberger, in whom the citizens of this commu- 
nity are most interested. He was here born March 
6, 1854, was educated in the public schools, and 
the Illinois Wesleyan Inivcisily of Hloominglon, 
and subsequently took a course of lectures in Ann 
Arbor, Mich. He was graduated from the Missouri 
Medical College of St. Louis in 188(i. and l>eg:in 
practice in F'idelity, III., where he remained for a 
year and a half, after which he w.as located in St. 
Jacob until 188t>. .Since that time he has been 
successfully engaged in the practice of medicine 
and surgery in Alliambra and is now enjoying a 
larue and lucrative business. 

I n the same year the Doctor married Grade 
Ilavs, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of 
George W. Hays, of .St. Jacob, III. .She died in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



513 



1887, .111(1 ill Fchniiiry, 180n, he wedded Valeria 
Stevenson, a native of Aliianihia Township, and a 
daughter of Di-. Rohert and Lucy .1. (Stepp) Stev- 
enson. Tiie lady was horn April 29, 1869, and 
completed her education in a convent in Atchison, 
Kan. She is a. nicmher of the Metiiodist Episcopal 
Church South. The Doctor is a inember of the 
Modern Woodmen, of which lie is Examining Sur- 
geon, belongs to the Odd Fellows' societ}', and both 
lie and his wife are members of the Rebecca Lodge. 
In ptjiitics he is a stalwart Republican. They have 
an elegant residence, and a line avenue, an eighth 
of a mile in length, leads ii)! to their home. In so- 
cial circles they hold an enviable position and 
their friends in the community are many. 



^>^¥-<m=^- 



%KV. FATHER WILLIAM MICHAEL. The 
ministerial profession in Madison County 
iMV, has an able and popular representative in 
the pastor of St. Gertrude's Catholic 
Church at Grantfork. Though still on the sunny 
side of life he is recognized as one of the most 
eflicient and successful priests in this section of 
the state. Among the members of his church he 
wields a potent influence for good, and is also 
regarded with respect by people of different re- 
ligious belief. 

Father Michael is a native of this state, having 
been born in the cit}' of Quincy, February 12, 
1863. He is the son of Herman H. and Bernadine 
(Klatte) Michael, natives of Hanover, German}-. 
In 1852 the family emigrated to America, and pro- 
ceeding west to Illinois, settled in C^uinc}-, where 
the boyhood days of our subject were passed in 
mingled work and play. He was a studious and 
industrious lad and made excellent progress in the 
rudiments of his education at the parochial 
schools cf the St. Mary's Church, which he at- 
tended until his thirteenth year. Entering the 
Gem City Business College, he prosecuted the 
higher branches of study in that institution for 
two years, graduating in 1877. 

On {completing his business education our sub- 



ject entered St. Francis College, where he con- 
ducted his theological studies for two years. Ow- 
ing to poor health he w.as obliged to withdraw 
from college. For two years he taught the paro- 
chial school where his education had been com- 
menced, after which, with health restored, he again 
entered college, completing the course in .lune, 
1884. In the fall of the same year he entered the 
St. Meinrad Seminary for the purpose of prose- 
cuting his clerical studies. After a year in that 
institution his health again failed, and leaving the 
seminary he took a position as bookkeeper in the 
Ijork-packing establishment of Blomer, Wolf & 
Michael, of Quincy, with whom he remained for 
two years. 

Again entering the seminary in the fall of 
1887, our subject continued his studies uninter- 
ruptedly for two years, when he completed the 
course, and on the 1.5th of .lune, 1889, was 
ordained to the Catholic ministry. His first as- 
signment was as substitute at Newton, 111., where 
he remained two months. From Newton he was 
assigned to the charge at Altamont, III., where he 
spent one year. He there became assistant of St. 
Peter <fc Paul's Church at Springfield, III., holding 
that pastorate for one j'ear. 

Resigning the charge at Springfield, Father 
Michael went to Europe to try the famous Kneipp 
Cure at Woerishofen, Bavaria. At the time he 
was at that place there were fourteen hundred 
people in attendance daily from America, Europe 
and Africa. After ten months' treatment at the 
baths and also a short time spent in travel, he re- 
turned to the United States and was shortly' after- 
ward .assigned to the charge at Grantfork, where 
he IS at present engaged. He is well worthy of 
the success which has already crowned his efforts 
and his future will no doubt be an honored one. 






P^ RED IMMER. Madison County contains 

r^(s) among its residents no gentleman more 

i liighl}' res|)ected than the subject of this 

sketch, who owns and ojierates a valuable farm 

situated in Saline Township. He is one of the 



.514 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAIMIICAL RKCORD. 



youngest agiicultuiists of Uie community, as well 
as one of the nmst prosperous, lie gives liis atten- 
tion to gen oral farming, and tlirivcs in propoi'tion 
1() his zeal ami pcisovcrance. A neat farm house, 
substantial barn and other buildings meet the eye 
of the visitor, and the orderly arrangement and 
neatness everywhere noted are significant of the 
charaeter of the owner. 

Mv. Imrner has si)ent liis entire life in Madison 
County, having been born in Marine Township, 
March '22. 1862.. He is of Swiss parentage, his 
father and mother. .John and Elizabeth (Frutiger) 
Immer, having been natives of Switzerland, where 
the}' were reared and married. The father re- 
ceived only limited advantages in youth, his time 
being devoted princi|)ally to farm work. Two 
children were born to his union while ho and his 
wife resided in .Switzerland, and the household was 
increased by the birth of nine after coining to 
America. Of the family, six reached their majority', 
viz.: .lohn, who died in the army; Margaret, who 
married .Tohn Leu; Gottlieb; Klizabeth, Mrs. Louis 
Riiedy; Maria, who died unmarried; and Fred, who 
is now the only surviving nienil>er of the family. 

Some time during the 'ods.Iohn Immer emigrated 
to the United States, and joining the Swiss colony 
in Madison County, sojourned for a time in High- 
land, whence he later removed to Marine. After- 
ward he purchased a farm in Saline Township, and 
here ho died in 1870. f)ur subject was then a boy 
of eight i'cai-s, and after remaining on the home 
farm one year he accompanied his mother to Ma- 
rine, where they spent three years, returning thence 
to the farm. 

While our subject's educational advantages were 
limited, he is one of the kind who makes the most 
of every opportunity, and is now a well informed 
man. As soon as old enough he took charge of 
the home farm, in which he bought a half interest. 
To its sixty-nine acres he has added eighty-two 
.acres, the whole constituting one of the best farms 
of the township. In all his enterprises he has re- 
ceived the edicient co-operation of his amiable 
wife, who was Miss Anna, daughter of Oswalt and 
Anna (Kile) Kilo. She was born in Madistm 
County, of which her parents were also natives, 
and by her union with our subject, solemnized in 



1886, four children have l)een born: Edwin, Mary, 
Frederick and Anna. 

Mr. Immer always keeps himself thoroughly 
posted in regard to what is going on about him, 
and is at all times keenly' alive to the interests of 
township and county and is an imjiortant factor 
in promoting them, rolitically he is in favor of 
the Republican party, but is not aggressive or 
])ailisan in his preferences. His life has been 
characterized by industry and hcmosty, traits 
which almost invariably bring success, and he Inis 
prospered abiiiid:intly. 



(§L 



,._©) 



'I' 'I' 'I' 'I' •J" •!• '5" 'J' 'I"I"J*'i' 'I"r'I"i' 



(®^' 



^ 



<if, lilLLIAM .lACK.SON, a leading agriculturist 
\pj/i ^"'^ sncoossful fruit-grower of Godfrey 
\y ^P Township, owns one of the finest and most 
highly cultivated farms in this locality. He was 
born in Yorkshire, England. March 15, lH21,and 
is the son of John and Mary (llardacre) Welch, 
also natives of the British Isle. The father w.is a 
man of limited means, and dying soon after Wil- 
liam's birth, left his widow and only son with very 
little of this world's goods. The mother was mar- 
ried a few j'ears later to Thomas Hanson, by whom 
she became the mother of several children. 

Our subject when thirteen years of age w.is 
adoi)ted into the family of William .lackson, of 
Northumberland, England, and thus assumed his 
surname. This gentleman was a coal miner, and 
soon after becoming a member of his household 
young William entered the mines and continued in 
that occupation for several years. On attaining 
manhood he was married to Miss Margaret E., 
daughter of John and Margaret Robson, and to 
them was born a family of six children, namely: 
John, residing in East .St. Louis; Richard, a coal 
miner in Kentucky; Martha, now Mrs. Murphy, 
who makes her home in Greene County, this state; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



516 



Margaret A., the wife of William M. Flood; Mary 
E., now Mrs. Fred Ageiniaii, and William. 

Leaving his family in Jlngland, our subject 
crossed the Atlantic in 1852 and landed after an 
uneventful voyage in New York harbor. He went 
immediately to Pennsylvania, and upon arriving 
there found himself to be possessed of just two 
cents. Being energetic and determined to succeed, 
however, he was not discouraged, but soon found 
employment in the mines, .lust one year after his 
arrival he was enabled to send for his family to 
join him and thereafter made his home in the Key- 
stone State for many years. His next move was 
to Maryland and from there to Virginia, still fol- 
lowing the occupation of a miner. Not being sat- 
isfied with the country, lie returned to Pennsylva- 
nia and remained a short time, when he went west 
to Iowa, and in 1863 came to Alton, this state. 

After his removal hither, our subject met with 
unusual success, and entering into partnership 
with a Mr. Rutledge, leased mines near North Al- 
ton, which lie operated for a number of years. 
At the expiration of that time INIr. Jackson became 
tired of mining and decided to try his fortune at 
farming. With this in view he inircliased fifty 
acres of land, rented rift3' more, and turned his at- 
tention to that branch of industry, and now makes 
a specialt}' of growing choice fruit and ornamental 
trees, which business he finds to be profitable as 
well as enjo^'able. 

Our subject never attended school a day in his 
life, but having learned to read when a child at 
home, would read the newspapers aloud after his 
day's labors and in this wa}' ac(iuired a good fund 
of information. Horticulture has been his chief 
stud}" for many jears and so proficient has he be- 
come in this art that he is regarded as authority on 
all points relating to that iii(Uistr\'. He has been 
Secretary of the Horticultural Society in this 
county for two years, and during his incumbency 
of the office gave perfect satisfaction. Frateriiall}', 
Mr. Jackson is a Mason in good standing and also 
a Knight Templar. For sixteen years he never 
missed a meeting of his lodge with the exception 
of one night, and even then he was away on lodge 
duty. He has been honored with all the offices in 
the order and has been present at nearly all the 



conclaves of the Knights Templar for many years. 
In politics our subject is a Republican and takes 
deep interest in the management of both national 
and local affairs. 



S-^+^[ 



¥ 



ILLIAM S. COMBS, Sr., whose biography 
we take pleasure in writing, is one of 
those worthy men who take no active part 
in public life, but pursue the even tenor of their 
wa}', accumulating by llirif t, industry and business 
ability not only the necessities of life, but the 
wherewithal to indulge in luxuries, should they 
feel so inclined. He is at present residing on sec- 
tion 29, C'ollinsville Township, where he has one 
of the finest im[)roved farms in this portion of the 
state. 

The subject of this sketch was born in Cler- 
mont County, Ohio, December 6, 1831, and is the 
seventh of the children born to James and Catli- 
j erine (Shaw) Combs. The fatlier was a native of 
j New Jerse}', and was brought by his parents to 
Ohio when a lad of fifteen years. There he grew 
to manhood and followed the occupation of a 
farmer until his decease, which event occurred in 
1885. His good wife, the mother of our subject, 
was born in Pennsylvania, and departed this life 
in 1857. 

William, of this sketch, attended the common 
schools of the Buckeye State until fifteen \ears of 
\ age, when he entered the high school at Milford, 
and remained in that institution during three six- 
month sessions. After leaving school he began 
to make his own way in the world, and obtained 
his first work as clerk in a general store in Boston, 
j that state. In the meantime he had received a 
diploma, and for some time taught school in Ohio. 
I In 1851 Mr. Combs came to Illinois and kicated 
j on a tract of land near where he is at present re- 
siding. He at once engaged in farm pursuits, and 
about two _> ears later purchased the land on sec- 
tion 2'J, from which he opened mi a fruit farm. 
Mr ("ombs introduced the growing of raspberries 



516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RFICORD. 



in tliis section of country, and look the first bushel 
(if lliat fruit that was ever niarlieled in St. Louis 
I'loiii this soclion. He at one time liad on his place 
thiilA-tive acres of raspberries, and for the fruil 
thus obtained found ready sales in the home 
market. 

Our subject has planted on liis estate seven hun- 
dred an<l fifty bearing cherry trees, two thousand 
two hundred iieacli trees, besides great quantities 
of the smaller fruits. lie has without douljl one 
ol till' most beautiful faims in Madison County', 
the location being line and the soil unexcelled in 
its fertility. He has for years given lime and 
study to the best methods of cultivating fruit, and 
is rewarded for his efforts b^' knowing that no 
farm in Illinois \ields liner returns in any one 
season. 

William S. C\>nd)s was married September 20, 
l.So.'i, toMi.'-s Sandi .1., daughter of (ieorge W. and 
Pluebe C. McCormick, who were natives respec- 
tively of A'lrginia and New Jersey. Their union 
has resulted in the birth of seven children, of 
whom those living are, William Shaw, who m:ir- 
ried Miss Kate Look, and makes his home in Man- 
kalo, Minn.; .Iosei)h A., .lames K., Clarence A. and 
Mary Angelina, who are at home with their parents. 
Clarence is a finely educated young man and a 
graduate from a law school. 

Mr. and Mrs. Combs are Methodists in religion, 
and stand high in that (U'liominalion. In polities 
our subject is and :ilwa\s has been a Rei)ul)lican, 
but desires no ollicial recognition. 



n < ^ a I < I < ■ 1 ^ 



^ OIIN KIGCS, an agriculturist of Godfrey 
Township, was born in Putnam County, N. 
Y., "in the Ilighl:inds." .lune •>'>, IH20. He 

I// is the son of Samuel and Klizabelh (llaiglit) 
Riggs, the forsner of wlK)m was the son of .lacob 
Riggs, a native of Ridgelield, Conn., and a soldier 
in the Revolutionary Wai. The (irst lepresenta- 
tives of the family came fidni I'.iighincl and identi- 
fied themselves with the early Colonial history of 
this country. 

The grandparents vi our subject reared a family 



of four sons and one daughter, namely: Jacob, a 
slioe merchant of Ridgefield, Conn.; Daniel, a 
builder and contractor, located in New York City; 
Isaac, who is also following that business in the 
above city; Samuel, the father of our sulijecl, and 
Polly, now Mrs. Gra3', who makes her home in 
Hidgetield. Jacob Riggs was by occupation a con- 
tractor and builder, and was accidentally killed 
by falling from a building in Ridgefield when in 
the jirime of life. 

Samuel Riggs received a good education in the 
.schools of his native place, where he prepared 
himself for a teacher, and with this end in view, 
emigrated when a young man to Putnam County, 
N. Y., where he taught the Highland schools for 
about twenty years. His health then failing, he 
removed to a farm in Orange County, that state, 
and upon it s|ient the remainder of his life. He 
,vas married while living in I'lilnam County, when 
abiuil twenty-three years of age, to Miss Haight, 
a (laiighler of lieverly and Charity (Husted) 
Haight. Her father was a soldier in the l\evolu- 
tioiiaiy War, in which contlict his biother .John 
also |)articipaled, l)eiiig caittain of his company. 
The latter lived to the remarkable age of one 
hundred years. 

The parental family included nine children, all of 
whom attained mature years. Daniel, deceased, was 
a carpenter and builder in New York City, where 
also for a time he was engaged in merchandising; 
David, who died when in his twenty-second year, 
was a tailor by trade and resided in Ulster County, 
N. Y.; Allierl, formerly a carjieiiter and builder in 
New York City, now makes his home in Chic.igo, 
where he follows the same business; Isaac, now 
deceased, was a merchant of Cold Spring, N. Y.; 
John, the subject of this sketch, was the next in 
order of birth; Samuel left home when a young 
man aiul h.as never been heard from since; Will- 
iam is a general merchant in Newburg, N. Y.; 
Susan is deceased; and Mary is the wife of William 
Valentine, a contractt)r of Albany, N. Y. 

Iloth Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Riggs were members 
of tin' Presbyterian Churcli, and in politics the 
former was an old line Whig. He departed tliis 
life in IH.'Vi, at the age of forty-nine years. He 
wivs residing at that time on his farm in Orange 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



517 



Countj', wliitber lie had removed several years 
previously. His good wife survived liiiii some 
fourteen or fifteen years, when she too passed 
awaj\ 

John, of this sketch, was a lad of twelve years 
when his father died, and when seventeen years 
old was bound out to learn the trade of a ma- 
chinist. He worked at this business until re.ach- 
ing his majority, still residing with his mother, 
and during that time aided in the manufacture of 
the first sewing machine invented b}' Howe. 
After thoroughly' mastering the business young 
Riggs continued in the employ of the same com- 
pany for aliout ten jears, when he, with others, 
formed a stock comitany for the manufacture of 
stationary engines, locating their shops on Fish 
Hill, on the Hudson River. This venture proved 
a successful one and is still in existence. 

In the fall of 1855 the original of this sketch 
came west with his family and located in Jersey 
County, this state, where he purchased one hun- 
dred and twent>' acres of land. This he made his 
home until about ten years ago, when he sold out 
and came to his present farm in Godfrey Town- 
ship, this count}-. Since coming to this state he 
has given his attention strictly to farm pursuits, 
and is recognized as one of the most progressive, 
and wide-awake of that class. 

Mr. Riggs was married in 1850 while in New 
York to Miss Hannah, daughter or Abel Peck, and 
by tlieir union have been born nine children, 
namely: Mary Ella, at home; Laura S., at home; 
George P., living in Florida; John, who makes 
bis home in Fulton Count}-, Wash.; Harriet, a 
trained nurse, in charge of the sanitarium at 
Salina, Kan.; Adella, a missionary in Africa, hav- 
ing been sent from the International Christian 
Alliance of New York two years ago, now de- 
ceased; William, residing in Michigan; Bertha, a 
trained nurse in St. Louis, in which city she was a 
graduate; and Lucy, a graduate of the Monticcllo 
Seminar}', and now at home with her father. Mrs. 
Hannah Riggs departed this life in 1875, greatly 
mourned by all who knew her. 

Previous to his union with Miss Peck, Mr. Riggs 
had been married to Mary Henry, who survived 
only four years, leaving at her death a sou, Joseph, 



who is also d(?ceased. Our subject is a member in 
good standing of the Congregational Church of 
Godfrey, in which he hus held the office of Deacon. 
In politics, he was formerly a Repul)lican, but now 
gives his allegiance to the Prohibition party. 



• f^ ^ i fiv u 



f I ' 1 * M ^ I ' 1 ^ ' 



\|('AMP:S L. R. W^ADSWORTH, M. D., is a 
[nacticing jihysician and surgeoH of Madi- 
son County, and has won an enviable rep- 
utation among his professional brethren in 
CoUinsville. By his skill and ability he is enjoy- 
ing a liberal and lucrative patronage, and has 
won success as the just reward of his efforts. He 
was born in Connecticut August 28, 1838, and 
was the only child in the family of James F. and 
Ruth (Jerome) Wadsworth. 

The father of our subject was also a native of 
Connecticut, and could trace his family history 
back to the eighth century. Our subject received 
his primary education in the schoc)ls of Oberlin, 
Ohio, whither his i)aients had removed, and when 
attaining his majority began the study of medi- 
cine in the ollice of Dr. N. S. Davis, of Cliicago, 
who is i)robably the oldest physician of the regu- 
lar school now living. Mr. Wadsworth received 
his diploma in the Chicago Medical College in 
1853, and when looking around for a suitable 
location came to CoUinsville, where he has since 
been engaged in successful practice, and is now 
the eldest member of the medical fraternity in 
the place. 

In 1868 Dr. Wadsworth and Miss Carrie P. Ilal- 
sey were united in marriage. Tlie lady was a 
daughter of Rev. Charles F. Halsey, a native of 
New York State, now residing in CoUinsville. Soon 
after their marriage the parents of both Dr. and 
Mrs. Wadsworth came to this city, wlicre they 
have since made their home. The three daughters 
comprised in the family of our subject and his 
wife are, Mrs. L. H. Rogers, of Cleveland, Ohio; 
Mrs. AV. B. Upton, of St. Louis; and Miss Belle, 
who is living at home with her parents. 

James F. Wordsworth is still living at the age 
of eighty-six years, and makes his home with 



518 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'IIICaL RECORD. 



our subject. The Doctor ami liis wife arc valued 

inenihers uf Die I'lfsbylcrian C'liurcli, in wliidi 
llie former liua bcLMi Treasurer for more lliau 
tliirty years. Socially, lie is a iiiember of Col- 
linsville Lodge No. 712, A. K. iV A. M., and in 
politics lie is a stalwart Repiihlican. lie lias held 
the [tosition of I'rcsidoiil of the Stale l.oard of 
Charities of Illinois, ami lias also been Alderman. 

^wMT. JOSKPH II. WEEKS is a resident of 
(|( _ Upper Alton. He was born .January 25, 
^^^ 11S;36, in New York City, the son of Har- 
vey an<l Sophia (Watcrlieiy) Weeks. His fa- 
ther was born Fcliriiary 1, 1 775, at Oyster Ba}', 
N. V. He took part in the War of 1812, serving 
with Uie New York Stale Militia. His death oc- 
curred November 22, 1858. Captain Weeks' 
mother was born in New York City .June 13, 1800, 
and died at Upper Alton, III., October 2, 1891. 
Our subject received his education in the public 
schools of Urouklyn. N. Y. After leaving school 
he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1857 he came 
west, stopping first at \'irdeii, 111., and in 1860 
came to Upper Altcm. 

September 1, l»Gl,Mr. Weeks enlisted in Com- 
pany F, Thirty-second Illinois Infantry, being 
mustered into the service at Cam[) Butler, 111., as 
Second Sergeant. On January 31, 18G2, his regi- 
ment was ordered to Cairo, 111., where it was one 
of the few comprising Crant's Army of the Tenn- 
essee. On the 'Jtli of February his regiment was 
ordered to Et. Henry, and later came the ascent 
of the Tennessee River b^- (Jeneral (iraiit's army. 
About sixty thousand men embarked on between 
fifty and sixty transports led by two gunboats, 
one of the grandest fxpe<lilions during the war. 
His regiment disembarked at I'ittsburg l..anding 
March 17, and went into camp, having been as- 
signed to the Eirst Brigade, Koiirtli Division, 
Major-(ieneral .Stephen A. Hurlbiirl coninianding. 
March 31 our subject was appointed Color Ser- 
geant of his rcginienl. Siiiulay nioining, April 6, 
commenced the battle of Sluloh. History has re- 
corded the important part that General Hurlburt's 



Division took in this battle. The Thirty-second, 

our subject's reginieul, first weiil into the light in 
the I'each Orchard; after rouliiig the eiieiiiy they 
were ordered to the left, inarching under a lerrilic 
lire about a i|iiarter of a mile, llieii liirning into a 
ravine not far from the famous "Hornet's Nest." 
By some means his regiment became separated from 
the brigade and engaged the enemy, about three 
times their number, at short pistol range. The 
aiiimunition is nearly' exliauslod. Men are using 
cartridges taken from the dead and womidcd, when 
the Colonel gives the order to tix Ijayonets; but 
the h^ft is crushed; the enemy charges on that 
Hank; eveiy ollicer is killed or disabled, the Col- 
onel falling last, liefore the Color Sergeant, our 
siibjccl, leaves the field, his regiment has lost more 
than half the iiii'ii in this valley of death. Out of 
his Color (iuard of seven men one is killed and 
live wounded. There is little semblance of oigaii- 
izalion now, and the men seek the rear as best 
they can. In the morning, with the arrival of 
(•eneral Biiell's fresh lroo|)s, the eiieiiiy was swept 
from llie field and the liallU' was won. The siege 
of CorinUi followed, and was a wearisome and ex- 
hausting campaign. The troojis were worn oiil 
with excessive duties. Six weeks were consimicd 
in passing over the lliirly miles between I'ills- 
burg Landing and Corinth. There was conslaiit 
skirmishing but no severe action during the siege, 
and the city fell into the hands of the Union 
troojis May 28. Later our subject was posted with 
his regiment on the railroad between Corinth and 
Memphis, making frequent marches into Missis- 
sippi. 

The ijattle of llatchie Hiver was an incident of 
thiscainpaign. It was fought b3(ieiieral Hiirlliuil's 
Division October 5. During the following win- 
ter our subject was with his command in the 
march through Mississippi. The inlention of this 
march was to reach the rear of Vicksburg. This 
cam[)aign was brought to an abrupt close l>\- the 
destruction of their supplies at Holly Springs. A 
few months later, he, with his regiment, was sent 
to Vicksbuig, where for three months they were 
under almost dail\ fire. The remainder of -4.he 
year was devoted to expeditions into Louisiana 
and Mississipiii. January 2, 1861, he re-enlisted 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPmCAL RECORD 



519 



at Natchez, Miss., was mustered in at Hebron, Miss., 
F"ebriiaiy 2, and with the veterans of liis regiment 
received a furlougli and came liome. On the ex- 
piration of his furloiioh he returned to liis regi- 
ment at Camp Butler. At tliis time the veterans 
of the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Seven- 
teenth Army Corps, under command of Gen. 
Frank Blair, were rendezvoused at Cairo, 111., 
awaiting transportation to Clifton, on the Tenn- 
essee IJiver, thence to march across the country by 
way of Iluntsville, Ala., to join Sherman's array 
in Georgia. The latter part of April his regiment 
went to Cairo to join tlieir command, the Fourtii 
Division. On the 10th of May they embarked on 
transports and arrived at Clifton on the 14th. 

The march from Clifton was an exceedingly un- 
pleasant one. General Blair had been frequently 
urged to hasten his command forward in the short- 
est possible time, as the troops were needed at the 
front. Sixteen miles a day was the shortest march 
expected. More frequently eigiiteen and twenty 
miles was the distance actually accomplished. This 
was no small task, loaded down with rations and 
ammunition as the men were. The weather was ex- 
tremely hot, and they had with them in line about 
twenty-live hundred head of cattle, supplies 
for Sherman's army. Much of the route lay over 
a very mountainous region, and the column was 
annoyed by rebel cavalrj-, which, though not 
sufficiently strong to do any great damage, was 
numerous and alert enough to keep the blood j 
warm and cause great watchfulness. About June 
10 the command reached the army near Acworth, 
Ga., having marched three hundred and forty 
miles, and took their position in line with the 
Seventeenth Corps on the left, near the north flank 
of Kencsaw. Logan's Fifteenth and Dodge's Six- 
teenth Corps joined them on the right; then came 
Thomas with the Army of the Cumberland in front 
of Pine Mountain, and in the interval between 
that and Kenesaw lay Scholicid under Lost M(jun- 
tain. Before the close of the day the skirmish 
line was "feeling the enemy" along the entire 
front of nearly ten miles, and for the next month 
was under almost constant lire. On the 2d of July 
the Army of the Tennessee, under (General McPher- 
son, occupying the extreme left, was ordered to 
24 



march to the Chattahoochee River on the extreme 
right. Every precaution was taken to order the 
movement so that no intimation could be gained 
by the enemy. The trenches were occupied by 
dismounted cavalry. About ten o'clock on the 
night of the 2d, with no sound of bugle or drum, 
artillery with wheels muffled, the march began. The 
Thirty-second, our subject's regiment, had the lead 
of their division. After marching about fifteen 
miles to the right they commenced to drive the 
encm^' from tlieir works, continually charging and 
skirmishing until they crossed the Cliattahoochee 
River on the 20th. Later the Thirt3'-second was 
ordered to Marietta and remained there until Gen- 
eral Ilood had flanked Sherman and charged upon 
the trooi)s on the railroad above that place. On 
the 3d of October, while in advance of his com- 
pany, who were on the skirmish line, he was cut 
off, taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville. On 
October 28 he was commissioned by Governor 
Yates as First Lieutenant, to rank from September 
21, 1864. He suffered the tortures of prison life, 
the greater part of the time in Andersonville, for 
seven months, or until the 27th of April, 1865, 
when he was released, with several hundred oth- 
ers by the notorious Captain Wirz, near Jackson- 
ville, Fla., coming into the Union lines at that 
place in a sad condition He was a mere skeleton, 
blind, with limbs crippled with scurvy. He was 
taken to the hospital, and later was sent to the 
hosi)ital at Hilton Head, S. C, where he remained 
until the latter part of May, when he was taken by 
steamer to New York City. Learning that his reg- 
iment was in camp near AYashington he joined 
them. His command was ordered to Louisville via 
Parkersburgh, from there to St. Louis, Mo., and 
finally to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. While there he 
received his commission as Captain, dated July 5, 
and on September 16, 1865, with his regiment, 
was mustered out of tlie service and returned to 
ITppcr Alton, HI. 

On October 4, 1865, Capl. Joseph II. Weeks was 
married to Martha L. Mills, daughter of B. 11. and 
Delia Mills, at Upper Alton, III. She died Feb- 
ruary y, 1869, leaving one son, Charles II., who 
was born August 3, 1866. He was a second time 
nuvrried, at Jerseyville, 111., Ajiril 1, 1873, to Mar- 



520 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRArillC'AL RKCORI). 



tha M. McGill, dauglitei- of Thomas and Elizabctli 
(Work) MclJill. Tliey have bad six cliildren, tluvc 
of whom lire now liviiijj;: Harvey K., Martha K. 
anil l'"ictlciick T. 

Captain Weeks was ap|)ointed Postmaster atUi)- 
per Alton, III., .lanuaiy 30, 1877, and held the 
oflice until 1885, when he was removed liy the 
change of administration, lie was re-a|)poinle(l 
Ai)ril 29, 18();(, by Postnjaster-Cieneral Wana- 
niaker. On March 21, 18;)(), the ollicc being raised 
to the third chiss, he was commissioned by Presi- 
dent Harrison for four years, retiring from the 
ollic'c May 31, 18'J1, having served as Postmaster 
for thirteen years. Politically-, Captain Weeks is 
a stanch Republican. He and his family belong to 
the Kaptist Church, of which body he is a Deacon 
and Trustee. 



>-5-+<-^- 



IlyKY p. OWEN, a leading member of the 
^ Madison County liar, now living in Ed- 
i*iM|\ wardsville, is a native of New Douglas 
^^fJTownship, tliis county, and a son of Jo- 
siah P. and Sarah L. (.Jones) Owen^ His father 
was born on Mill Creek, in Tennessee, and came 
to Illinois with his parents, who settled near Al- 
ton, where he was reared. Throughout his life 
he followed farming and stock-raising, and accu- 
mulated a handsome property as the result of his 
persistent efforts and capable management. He 
was a gentleman in the true sense of the word, 
and his friends throughout the community' were 
many. Politically, he afliliated with the Demo- 
cratic party, and religiously he was connected 
with the liaptist Church. He died .luly 30, 1884, 
at the old home, where his widow still resides. She 
has s [lent her entire life there, and throughout the 
community is greatly beloved. Five children were 
born of their marriage: Rosa, now the wife of 
Murray B. Travue, of Jersey ville, 111.; Riley P.; 
Z. 15. J., who operates the home farm; and two 
who died in childhood. 

Our subject was reared on the old homestead, 
and after attending the district schools entered 
ShurllelT College, of Upper Alton, where he studied 
five years. He then returned to the farm, but in 



1888 began the study of law in the St. Louis Law 

School, from which he was gr.aduated .lune 1, 
188!). lie iiiiniediatci^' formed a parlnersiiip with 
W. M. AVarnoek, but after a time he began prac- 
tice alone. He has done a gcjod business, is a thor- 
ough student of his profession, a man of deep re- 
search, and before judge and jury is an able and 
earnest advocate. 

Mr. Owen exercises his right of franchise in 
support of the Democracy, is an earnest worker in 
its interests, and was President of the last cam- 
paign committee of Madison County. He was a 
candidate for United Slates Minister to Peru, and 
was strongly supported, but at length met defeat. 
Socially, he is a ]M,ason, belonging to the blue 
lodge of IJethalto, the chapter of Edwanlsville 
and Belvidere Commandery No. 2, K. T., of Al- 
ton. He is also a member of the Odd Eellows' 
Society and Encampment and Knights of Pythias 
fraternity, in which he has passed all the chairs. 

Mr. Owen claims honored ancestry. His great- 
grandfather was a Revolutionary hero, serving 
under Francis Marion, and in battle lost a leg. 
His grandfather served as a soldier under (ieneral 
Jackson in the War of 1812, and look part in the 
battle of New Orleans, as did the maternal grand- 
father of Mr. Owen. The maternal greal-giand- 
falher. William Wright, was in llic War of the 
Revolution and was killerl at Yorktown. Mr. 
Owen's grandfather, William Jones, was in the 
Black Hawk War, and died from the effects of 
wounds received in that service. He was one of 
the pioneers of Madison County, and wjis one of 
the first members of the Legislature which then 
convened at Vandalia. He was also a Baptist 
minister, and was very prominent ihiring the 
early history of Illinois. 



j^-i^l 



\i=*KANClS MARION JOHNSON, a well-to-do 
-nfe' business man of Alton, w.is born in this 
\ city .lanuary 16, 1843, and is the son of 
William C. and Jane (Wallace) Johnson, natives 
respectively of Albemarle County, Va., and Phila- 
delphia, Pa. The [)alcrnal grandfather, William 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



521 



.loliiison, was also a iialive of Albemarle County, 
as was liis wife, who came from the well known 
Pace family. The Johnson's were distant con- 
nections of the late President Johnson, and the 
Wallace family was represented among the Puri- 
tans, who settled near Boston. IManj- of them 
were traders, following the seas and running to 
Cuba and the West Indies. 

On the maternal side of this family there were 
both Germans and French in the line of descent. 
Our sul)ject's maternal grandfather was a brick 
manufacturer and builder. He removed from 
Boston to Philadelphia, where he continued in the 
same line of business. William Johnson removed 
with his entire family, exccjjt one married son, 
Reuben Johnson, who lived in Richmond, from 
\'irginia to Illinois by wa}' of Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee, arriving in Alton in .September, 1837. He 
was a fanner and also managed a flat boat. During 
the earl}' part of the war he died at Badax(!, Wis., 
aged ninety-eight years. His wife died in Alton, 
passing away in 1845. 

AVilliain C. Johnson was born in Virginia, July 
10, 1810, and there engaged in fanning. Ac- 
companying his parents to Alton, he here embarked 
in the brick business, in which he continued until 
18G8, when he retired, renting his brick yards to his 
sou Francis. .September 30, 1868, he departed this 
life. He was fust an old line Whig and later 
became identilied with the Republican part}-. He 
held membership in the Methodist Episcopal 
church. By his fust marriage he had six children, 
the others besides our subject being, Edwin F., 
who died leaving his widow with one son; Marga- 
ret L., who died at the age of si.xleen years; Rufus 
L., a farmer in Piatt County; Emma J., widow of 
Henry C. Murphy; and William T., a solicitor 
living in St. I^ouis. After the death of his first 
wife the father married Sarah C. Gillham, by whom 
he had one child, Nora M., who is the wife of 
Robert Roseberry, of Peoria. The mother is living 
in Jeiseyville and is now the wife of Capt. Jona- 
than Cooper, a veteran of the Black Hawk War. 

In his boyhood F. M. Johnson attended the 
district schools until the outbreak of the war. 
September 1, 18G1, he enlisted in the Union service 
and was mustered in at Siningliclil as a member of 



Company F, Thirty-second Illinois Infantr}', with 
with Dr. John Logan as commanding oflicer. He 
was immediately sent to the front, arriving at 
Bird's Point February 1, 1862, where the company 
was held in reserve during the siege of Fort 
Henry. After waid they were left to guard the 
fort. Embarking on transports March 2, they 
went to Pittsburg Landing and took part in the 
battle of Sliiloh. in which they suffered a heavy 
loss. After this engagement Mr. Johnson was 
granted a furlough of thirty da3s on account of 
sickness. Returning he took part in the siege of 
Corinth and his next battle was that of Ilatchie's 
River in November of 1862. Going to central 
Mississippi he remained there a short time and 
then went into camp near Memphis, Tenn. Owing 
to disabilit}' he received an honorable discharge 
from the service February 14, 1863. 

After recovering his health our subject resumed 
his active business duties until June, 1864, when 
he recruited for the one hundred day service, for 
theOne Hundred and Thirty-lifth Illinois Infantry, 
and took charge of the musicians, serving during 
the allotted period. They were organized at 
Mattoon, 111., and moved to Missouri to attack 
Price, marching via St. Louis up the Gasconade 
River and to other points. At the ex|iiration of 
his term of service, our subject returned home. 
His studies had been greatly interruiited by the 
war, and feeling the need of a better education he 
attended Shurtleff college for three terms and then 
assumed the management of his father's business, 
lelieving hiui from care until his death. In 1868 
he became the owner and successor of his father's 
enterprise and has continued lu the brick manu- 
facture since that time. All kinds of building 
brick and sidewalk stock are turned out by this 
concern. On account of the good quality and 
uniformity of the brick made by this firm, they 
merit the large trade which they have built up. 
A line quality of clay is used in the brick and the 
yard is well equi|)i)ed in every particular. 

February 2, 1871, Mr. Johnson wedded March 
C. Ellison and to them have been born the follow- 
ing [children, Fannie M., William A., Mattie L., 
Charles R., Grace M. and Frank E. Charles R. 
died at the age of fifteen months, and the wife and 



522 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL KKCORD. 



mother passed away January 26. 1890. On the 5th 
of Si'pU'mlK'r. lHi>;i, Mr. Johnson married Mrs. 
Susan Prallier Coryell. The family is identified 
Willi the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his poli- 
tical alhliations our subject is a warm su))porter of 
the Republican i>arty. Socially he is a member 
of Alton Post No. 431, C A. R., of which he has 
been commander at two different times. 






++++t 



P-5-+++I 



JAMES OLIVP^, our subject, is an old settler 
of Madison County. lie w.as born in Try 
County, Ky., June 4, 1817. His father, 
^ Abel Olive, was a native of Nortii Carolina 

and was reared there, lie was a farmer by occu- 
pation. At an early date he removed to Try 
County, Ky., and died there at the age of sixty 
years. The family is of English descent. His 
mother, wiiose maiden name was Martha Miter» 
was also a native of North Carolina. She died in 
the 'SOs. 

James Olive is the youngest ciiild by his father's 
second marriage. He was only seven years of age 
when his father died and about twelve years old 
wlii'ii his mollier passed away, .\flcr the tleath of 
his UKither he went, lo live wilh his br<iliier Rich- 
ard, with whom he remained until 18.'{3, when he 
came to Madison County. 

He was united in marriage with the widow of 
Siiiai Tabor just one day before lie was seventeen 
j'ears of .age, and located on a small farm of forl^' 
acres, which he improved, lie moved into a log- 
CJibin, which was unfurnished, improved the forty 
acres, and added to it until he became and is one 
of the largest land-holders in the township. He 
now owns in Douglas Township six hiindrod and 
twenty-eight acres, and in (Jlive Township live 
hundred and seventy-four, making in all one 
thousand two hundred and two acres, which he 
has accumulated since he came to Madison County. 
He owns other property and money interests. 

The parents of our subject had six children, of 
whom live are living: Henry C, a farmer; James 



M., of Kentuck}', alsoa farmer; Martha, the widow 
of Thomas T. Kinnikin, of Wordenville; Mary . I., 
wife of Mr. Kienle, of Olive Township, and James, 
our subject, the youngest. 

The second marriage of Mr. Olive was with Mary 
Ann Schumate, by whom he also had six children: 
Lillian B., wife of Robert Livingston, of Olive 
Township; Harriet P., wife of John Camp, of Mt. 
Olive, 111.; Edward M., of Olive Township; and 
Nora G. and Jesse, at home. 

James (Jlive was the first Supervisf)r and licid 
the oliice for man}' years. He has been School 
Treasurer ever since the adoi)tion of the free 
school system with the excei)lion of two years, 
has been Justice of Peace for twenty years, ami 
has held most of the other otlices in the township. 
Olive Township was named in honor of the Olive 
familv. 



I'UDGE ALEX II. HOPE, City Judge of 
I Alton, w.as born .Inly 12, 1818, in Ifpper 
j^^l Alton. His fullier, Thomas N. Hope, was a 
^^' native of Virginia, while his mother, Eliza- 
beth, was born December l.'i, 181H, in Lexington, 
Ky. The latter was a member of an old and promi- 
nent family in the Blue (irass Slate, wlieiur licr 
father removed lo Illinois and was aftiM ward 
elected the first United States Judge on the Whig 
ticket. 

Dr. Thomas Hope, the father of our subject, was 
born August 8, 181.'?, and came to Alton in 18;{1, 
where he was engaged in the i)ractice of his pro- 
fession until the time of his decease. In politics 

j he was a Democrat, and :it one time served as 
I'niled Slates INIarshal of Illinois, receiving the 
appointment from President Polk. He was after- 
ward nominated on the Bieckenridgc ticket for 

, (iovcrnor of the state in 1860. Dr. Ho|)e died 

I October 15, 1885, greatly inouincd by a host of 
friends. 

The original of this sketch is the onl}' member 

I of his jjarents' family who survives. He received 
his primary education in the Alton schools, and 

j when of pro^jcr age he entered the L nivcrsity of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



523 



Virginia and conducted his studies in tlie law de- 
partment, from wliicli lie was graduated in 1870. 
Tliat year lie was admitted to the liar of tiiis city, 
and at once began the practice of law, which he has 
successfully followed ever since. He was elected 
City Attorney in 1872, and on the exiiiration of 
his terra was re-elected, serving successfully until 
1878. He has also been Corporation Counsel, 
holding that jiosition from 1881 to 1885, which 
year he was elected .Judge of the City Court, 
which responsible office he now holds. 

■Judge Hope and Miss Molly Luce were united 
in marriage January 19, 1382. The lady was born 
in Lawrence, Mo., and by her union with our sub- 
ject has become the mother of a son, Charles P. 
In i)olitics the Judge is a pronounced Democrat 
and is one of the leaders of his party in this sec- 
tion. He is a man of positive character and 
strong convictions, well deserving the good things 
which have come to him. 






%**+*|- 



^•{••{•^•J*r 



■^ ULIUS REINHART, a prosperous farmer of 
Saline Township, was horn in Alhambra 
Township, Madison County, July 1, 1864, 
and is the son of George M. and Louisa 
(Klepser) Reinhart. His mother was born in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, and when she became of 
age, came to America with some friends, none of 
her relatives ever emigrating from the Fatherland. 
She is a member of the Evangelical Protestant 
Church. George M. Reinhart was born in Baden, 
Germany^ in 1822, and w!is reared on a farm. His 
parents were in moderate circumstances, and think- 
ing that he could aid them, he emigrated to this 
country in 1848. 

Since coming to America George M. Reinhart 
has been successful in his business career, and in 
consequence need never regret his removal to the 
New World, for it has furnished him a comforta- 
ble home and good property. Me came to Madi- 
son County with no money and hired out by the 
month until 1860, when he was married. After 
liis marriage he rented a farm for three years, and 



having accumulated sufficient means then pur- 
chased eighty acres of well cultivated land. Polit- 
ically he is a Republican, but is independent in 
local politics. There were five children born to 
his union, of whom one died when quite young. 
The following are still living: AVilliam, Julius, 
Hannah and Lottie. The daughters are accom- 
plished young ladies, and have taught school in 
Madiscm County for a number of years. 

Our subject was educated in the public schools 
of his county. He remained with his parents un- 
til the age of twenty-five, when he w.as married 
at Highland, Madison County, to Miss Mar3', the 
daughter of Jones and Elizabeth (Hirsch) Tontz, 
and a native of Saline Township. Her parents 
were born in Switzerland. Her mother has long 
since departed this life. Her father died in Europe 
two years ago. Mr. Reinhart is the father of two 
children, Irwin and Oliver. Mrs. Reinhart is a 
member of the Christian Church of Marine, and de- 
sires to be known simply as a follower of the lowly 
"Nazarene," and to wear his name instead of 
some human name, and believes in no creed other 
than the Bible. 

In politics Mr. Reinhart is independent, and 
votes for the man and not for the party. He 
owns ninety acres of land, eighty being cleared 
and ten being covered with timber. His life has 
by no means been an easj' one, but he possessed 
an abundance of energy, perseverance, and the 
American characteristic of "stick-to-lt-iveness," 
and as a result of his unwearied efforts has gained 
a large measure of success. 



[3_ 



"S] 



^H^^ 



'Jli'OHN H[TG, of Helvetia Township, was 
born in Canton Aargau, Switzerland, in 
1820, and came to Madison County in 1839 
with his father, Martin Hug. The\- made 
settlement on a farm two and one-half miles from 
where our subject now lives, and on that jilace the 
father continued to reside until his death in 1887. 
John is the nest to the oldest of seven brothers 
and the oldest of six now living. Henry is a 



524 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RKCORD. 



farmer in Mndison County; Samuel, Jacob and 
Fritz ;iie agriciilliirisls, the first and last named in 
lli'lvflia Tdwiisiiip, and .laeol) residing south of 
the village of St. .lacoh. Rudolph, the eldest, went 
to Arkansas and died in that state. 

As the family was poor our sul)jeet had no edu- 
cational advantages, but early in life was obliged 
to become self-supporting. Throughout liis entire 
life he has followed farming and the dairy busi- 
ness. Eighteen years ago he came to his present 
farm, which consists of one hundred and seventy 
acres, and is one of the finest [ilaces in the county'. 
The substantial improvements that may here he 
noticed are the result of his enterprise and indus- 
try, seconded by excellent judgment and good 
management. He has also other interests, and at 
present is a stockholder in the new creamery at 
Highland. 

The marriage of Mr. Hug occui-red in 18;)7,and 
resulted in the birth of eleven living chili1rcn,as fol- 
lows: Mary, who married a Mr. VVendl^-, who is en- 
gaged in agricultural ])ursuits in Saline Township; 
John, a farmer residing two miles east of the home 
farm; Lizzie, wife of Samuel Wendly, who owns and 
operates a farm in Saline Township; Catherine, 
who was united in marriage with Louis Sebert and 
lives fifteen railessouth of Highland; Minnie, who 
resides with her father; Fritz, also at home; Emma, 
wife of tUist. Sebert, whose home is lifteen miles 
south of Highland; Lena, Henry, William and 
Joseph, all at home. Politically Mr. Hug takes an 
active interest in public affairs and advocates 
Republican piiiiciples, which are consonant with 
his ideas of e(|uity and justice. However, he has 
never desired nor been willing to accept ollicc, 
preferring to devote his attention to home duties. 



EV. WILLIAM ROBERTS, biographies of 
good men are most useful as incentives to 
others, teaching noble thinking and encr- 
^^getie action for their own and the world's 
good. The one who gives others an example of 
industrv, upright conduct and <'(>n>isleiit honesty 
of purpose, has both a present and a future influ- 




ence upon the well-being of othci-s, for his life and 
char.acter affects, unconsciously it may be, their 
lives and characters, and thus the inlluence is un- 
ending. The gentleman whose name introduces 
this sketch was a man of superior ability and 
lofty principles of honor. His life was devoted to 
the preaching of the (;os|)el, aud for thirteen .years 
he was a minister of the Baptist Church. Death 
came to him in the prime of his manly vigor and 
usefulness, but he was preiiared for the summons 
and ))assed calmly away. 

William Roberts was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
in 1818, and was of Welsh descent. His paternal 
grandfather emigrated from Wales during the Col- 
onial days and participated in the Revolutionary 
War. The parents of our subject, Edward and 
Usiey (James) Roberts, were natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, and the father was a weaver by trade, and 
a man of very limited means. He was therefore 
unable to give his son the advantages for which 
he so ardently longed, but the boy, determined to 
acquire a good education, came west to Jersey 
Count}', 111., whei'e he found employment, and in 
this w.ay paid his expenses at college. Later he 
was joined in Jersey County by his father and 
step-mother, his own mother having died when he 
was twelve years old. 

After completing his education, William Roberts 
began teaching school, and was thus engaged for 
many years in Jersey County. In CJreene County, 
III., in 1844, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of 
Francis and Margaret (Jarvis) Underwood, na- 
tives respectively of Shropshire, England, and 
Pennsylvania. Mrs. Roberts w.as born in Hari'ison 
County, Ky., in which i)lace her mother was reared 
to womanhood. The maternal grandparents were 
southern planters, who, however, were nfil slave 
holders. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts was 
blessed by the birth of two children. The daugh- 
ter, Mary J., is an accomplished lady and a grad- 
uate of Mrs. Cuthbert's Ladies' Seminary in .St. 
Louis; she is married and has two children, Oliver 
J. and Fidelia R. The son, William J., was a stu- 
di'iit in SliurllefT College, and now makes his home 
with his mother, having the supervision of Ihe 
farm. 

After having spent many years in educational 



PORTRAIT AND 15I0GRAPHTCAL RECORD. 



525 



and ministerial work, Rev. Mr. Roberts departed 
tliis life in Greene County, 111., July IG, 1852. In 
1863 Ills widow with her children came to Madison 
County, and settled on three hundred acres of 
land inherited from a relative. This property is 
kept under a good state of cultivation and brings 
in a handsome income. In religious belief Mrs. 
Roberts is identified with the Baptist Church, and 
is a consistent and faithful Christian. She greatly 
aided her liusband in his ministerial labors, .and 
not a little of his success was due to her co-opera- 
tion and counsel. In the community where for 
so many years she h.as resided, and among the peo- 
ple of Wood River Township, where her property 
is situated, she is highl}- esteemed for her many 
amiable and noble qualities of head and heart. 



%'^ 



=pjS' 




jENEDICT AMBUEHL, a farmer of S.aline 
Township, was born May 13, 1841, in 
'([■D)lll Madison County. He is the son of .John 
' L. and Menga (Grapp) AmbuchI, botli of 
whom were natives of Switzerland, the former 
born .lune 18, 1806, and the latter in 1812. John 
L. received a good common-school education and 
remained under the parental roof until he was 
about thirty years of age, when he married the 
daughter of John Grapp. She passed to her eter- 
nal rest in the year 1881. The father still survives 
and resides with his son. The parents of John L. 
Ambuehl were people of limited means, but owned 
the house in which they lived, and which was sit- 
uated among the snowcapped Alps of Switzerland. 
In 1839 the entire famil}- emigrated to the New- 
World and after being on the water for three 
months, landed in the city of New Orleans, subse- 
quently .settling at Highland, Madison County, 111. 
At this place the father of our suliject purchased 
a piece of land, but at such a fraudulent price 
that he w.as unable to meet all of the p.aj'mentS' 
and consequently lost everything, possessing a 
strong heart and willing hands, and undaunted 
by misfortune, he came to Saline Township anrl 



here accumulated one hundred acres of timber land 
which he and his sons cleared and improved. 

There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. 
John L. Ambuehl, as follows: John Jr., Anna, Lutze, 
Kiltie, Benedict, John A., Christian, Joseph and 
Peter. Our subject had the advantage of being 
educated both in an English and a German school. 
Soon after the family settled in this counti y, he 
began to speculate in land, buying a small tr.act, 
improving it and then disposing of it at a high 
price. He now has two hundred and eighty-five 
acres of the finest farming land in this part of 
the state, one hundred and si's.ty in the farm on 
which he lives and one hundred and twenty-five 
in another. 

The marriage of Benedict Ambuehl occurred at 
Highland, Madison County, in July, 1870, to Miss 
Margaret Auer. To them were born eight children 
as follows; Benedict, Jr., Magaret, Emma, Albert, 
August, Edwin, Ella and Lena. Politically the 
subject of this sketch is a Republican, but has 
never been an ofiice seeker, although deeply in- 
terested in both local and qational issues. Einan- 
cially prospered, he is ever ready to aid in matters 
of public welfare, and is numbered among the 
substantial citizens of Saline Township. 



\1I GUIS LEDUC. The broad acres and pleas- 
I /^ ant home of which Mr. Leduc is the pro- 
/JL^, prietor, and which are situated in Saline 
Township, are among the most attractive in the 
community, and are a standing monument to his 
thrift, industry and perseverance. While still a 
young man^_^hc has, through the exercise of good 
judgment, acquired a fine property, proving the 
possession on his [lart of considerable energy and 
enterprise. His entire life has been spent in Mad- 
ison County, where the famil}- of which he is a 
member has long been prominent. 

Mr. Leduc is one of eight children born to John 
and Sophia (Ilenchen) Leduc, others of the fam- 
ily being, Margaret, who married Jacob Iramer 



520 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPIIICAT, RECORD. 



and lives in Missouri; Francis, wlio married Mary 
I'locker ami lias two cliiiilren, I-'loroiico and Alvin; 
and W-U-v C'., wiio cliosc as Ms wife Miss Cluis- 
lina Aniliuelil; tiiey liave four oliiidrcn, Trasy, 
Lulu, .lolin and Cora. Further information con- 
eerniii<j the family may be obtained by referrinj? 
to tlie sketcli of Francis Lechic, ])resenled on an- 
other page. Louis w.as born in Saline Townshiii, 
Madison County, .January 2(i, 1860, and w.as reared 
to manhood on the home farm, remaining with his 
paitMits until he was twenty-six years old. Mean- 
time he was a student in the district schools and 
also at Highland, walking three miles to and from 
the schoolhouse each day. 

Upon selecting a life occupation Mr. Leduc 
chose that of agriculture, to which he had been 
reared. In early nianiuMid he worked for a few 
months in the employ of neighboring farmers, and 
then receiving from his father a tr.act of one hun- 
dred and four acres, ten of which were in timber, 
he turned his attention to the improvement and 
cuitivalion of this projierty. Making his home 
with his parents, he was busily engaged in tilling 
the soil on his farm. 

Kstablishing a home of liis own in 1887, Mr. 
Leduc was tlien united in marriage with Miss Ma- 
tilda Messerly, who was born in Alhambra Town- 
ship, ftfadlson County, in 18(!7. Her parents, 
Oottlleb and Kllzabetli ( I'fetTner) Messerly, were 
natives of Switzerland, the former born in St. (lall. 
l?i)th families were members of the farming com- 
munity of Switzerland, lie came to the United 
Stales with his ))arents, wliile she crossed the ocean 
alone, and becoming aciiuainted in ALadison Coun- 
ty they were soon afterward married. .Mr. and 
Mrs. Leduc have lliree children, (ieorge (i., Sophia 
C. K. and Frma. 

For seven years Mr. Leduc made his lioinc upon 
the farm purchased of his father, whicli in IHill 
he traded for adjoining property of (M|iial value 
and productiveness. While his attention ismainly 
devoted to the cuitivalion of his land, he linds 
sullicient time to keep posted regarding events of 
public moment and is well informed concerning 
the issues of the day. In |H>liUcal matters he is a 
Democrat, always ready to give his inlluence and 
ballot in support of party i)rinciples. His children 



were christened in the Protestant Church, which, 
Ihiiuiili not actively connected therewith, he ever 
stands ready to aid. 



B&Wil 



J^Jl DOLPH LANDOLT, a prominent farmer 
'®0| of Saline Township, was born in P>ond 
* County, 111., .January 20, 18G2, and is the 
son of Anton anil Margaret Landolt, na- 
tives of Switzerland. The grandfallior was a 
wealthy stock-raiser, owning a large farm and rais- 
ing great nunibeis of fine bloo<led stock. He was 
twice married and was the fatiier of eleven chil- 
dren, three of whom came to America: .Joseph, a 
stepsister and Anton (the father of our subject.) 
When about twenty-eight years old, Anton left 
his paternal domicile and commenced his battle 
with the world. Prior to this time he had been a 
herder in his father's employ. He now started 
for America, and after being on the water for 
forty-five days, landed in Ne\v Orleans and pvo- 
ceeded up the Father of Waters to St. Louis and 
thence to Highland, Madison County, 111. Having 
no trade at which he could work, he willingly ac- 
cepted anything that was olTered,and atan\' price. 
He continued in this manner for some two or three 
years, when he rented a piece of property near 
Highland and purchased land, to which he added 
until he had acrumulate<l over one thousand acres, 
mostly situated in Madison County. He could 
neither read nor write, but w.as a careful business 
man nevertheless, and was noted for his liberality 
to the church. He died in April. 18;»4. The 
mother makes her abode with her children. There 
were ten children born to this couple, four dying 
at an early age. Those living are .losepli, Arnold, 
Frederick, .lulius, Anton, .Ir.,and Adolpli. 

Oiir subject was educated in the public schools 
of his county. His marriage united him with 
Miss Martha Belliii, the daughter of Freilcrick and 
Catherine (Mcj'er) Uelhu. He rented a farm from 
his father for live years after his marriage, and at 
his father's death ret eived two hundred and ten 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



527 



acres of well cullivalefl land ns his share of the 
estate. 

There were six children horn to Mr. and Mrs. 
Adolph Landolt, as follows: Frederick, Edwin, 
Jlarllia, Anna, .Tosephina and Eniel. The parents 
are both members of the Catholic Church. Po- 
litically a Republican, Mr. Landolt is interested in 
both local and national politics. Intelligently 
posted in all matters tending to the promotion of 
the public welfare, he does his full duty as a true 
and liberal-spirited citizen. Practically a self- 
made man, he has in his enviable career gained 
both friends and money, and enjoys the sincere 
confidence of a wide circle of old-time friends and 
neighbors. 

^^=r^# P • ■ 




T. HA W LEY, who makes his home on sec- 
&/Uv tion 28, Godfrey Township, is a native of 



the province of Quebec, Canada, and the 
son of An<lrew and Mary (Cook) Hawley. 
His paternal grandfather w.as Eli Hawley and the 
son of Jehiel Hawlej'. The family trace tiieir an- 
cestry back to Joseph, who was born in Derby- 
shire, England, in 1603, and came to America, lo- 
cating in Connecticut, where he was living at the 
time of his decease in 1690. 

The eldest son of the above-named gentleman, 
Samuel Hawle}-, was born in Stratford, Conn., in 
1647, and was married May 2(1, 1673, to Miss Mary 
Tlionii)son, the granddaughter of Governor Wells 
of Connecticut, the fust Colonial governor. To 
them were born four sons and one daughter, and 
by a second marriage Samuel Hawley became the 
father of six sons and one daughter. The eldest 
son by the second union was Ephraim, born in 
1690, and married October 5, 1711, to Sarah 
Curtis. He later moved to Vermont, where his 
death occurred in 1771. The family included 
eight sons and two daughters, of whom Jehiel, 
spoken of above, was born in New Milford, Conn., 
February 14, 1712. He married Sarah Dunning 
March .30, 1731, and moved to Arlington, Vt., 
about 1764. 

Jehiel Hawley reared five sons and five daugh- 



ters, of whom his eldest son, Eli, was the grand- 
father of our subject. He was Ijorn in New Milford, 
November 20, 1757, and was married when thirty 
years of age to Mary Jeflfers. He was a Tory, and 
during the Revolutionary War served in the Brit- 
ish army, beingstationed a part of the time in Que- 
bec. For the service rendered as a messenger be- 
tween thatcity and New York, he was given by the 
English Government three thousand acres of land 
near Three Rivers, Canada. He was a very wealthy 
man during the later years of his life, and about 
1833 came to the States, locating with his family 
in Alton, 111. Here he reared a family of three 
sons and a daughter, and made his home until his 
decease, June 19, 1850. 

Andrew Hawley, the father of our subject, was 
the eldest son of his parents, and while residing in 
Canada was a tavern keeper. He diedin the 
prime of life, leaving four sons, those besides our 
subject being J. A., a lumber merchant of Oakland, 
Cal.; George, engaged with the Paddock Iron 
Company, of .St. Louis, Mo.; and Charles J., now 
deceased. The latter during his life was a whole- 
sale and retail groceryman in San Francisco, Cal. 

When a lad of nine years our subject came to 
Alton with his uncle Thomas and received his 
education in Shurtleff College. While yet in his 
sixteenth year he began clerking in a general 
store, and, when attaining his twenty-third year, 
launched out in business for himself, conducting 
a store in Alton for many years. Ten years latfer 
he came to this county and purchased land in God- 
frey Township, where he has since continued to 
make his home. 

The marriage of Mr. Hawley united him with 
Miss Helen M., daughter of D. A. and Sarah A. 
(Danforth) Spaulding; she was born in Rockford, 
this state. Her father was a native of A'ermont, 
whence he went to Pittsburg, Pa., on foot when a 
young man, and later made his way to this state, 
by boat and land, locating in this count}-. He 
was one of the earliest Government surve\'ors of 
this section, and his surveys are pronounced cor- 
rect to-day and still stand. In 1825 Mr. Spauld- 
ing was chosen Surveyor of Madison Count}', 
which position he held for a period of ten years. 
Later he went to St. Louis, Mo., and assumed the 



•ISH 



IMI>'ri,' AIT AND lllOCItAI'IIH'AI, l{i:( ( »I{I). 



ilillif.s of cliict rlirk in tlif • iiivt-rii iiii'iil I.mimI 
Olllfc, iiik) in IH.">2 was iimdr Siiivcyor (!ciici:il 
III Wnsliiiifftiiii, I). ('. Aftcrwnnl lit' nf,'ftiii eiiU'rcd 
lli<> I, anil Oilier in llic IMoiind City, and in IHril 
i'cci"iv«'d till' appiiinlnicnl of clerk in the ( Jeneral 
Land Olliee in WasliiriLrlim. Hniin;; liis incuni- 
iK'nev of lliat olllee lie was senl to l''iori<la to in- 
s|>eel the oiii^ina! surveys and eslaMisli new ones. 
■Mrs. Ilawlev is a linely edue;»1cd lady and is a 
f^radiiali' of Monlieello Collejfe, and liy lior union 
with onr sulijeet. has lieiimio the niollier of two 
eliililren, .Nina, also edue.'iled in the al)ove insti- 
tution, and An<lrew, who is inana;;iny the home 
f.'inn. In politics Mr. Ilawh-y is a trne-hlne Itepub- 
lican.and lakes f;ri'at interest in the success of the 
same, lie is very prominent in the liusiiiess 
wiU'ld in this section, an<l is recoj^ni/.cd as one of 
the wealthy residents of Madison County. Sev- 
eral years aijo he hccame interested in the Alton 
A}i;ricidtural Works as Secretary and Treasurer, 
but this enterprise not provinj; a profitable in- 
vestment, he lost hc.'iviiy. ()nr siil)ject is the 
owner of a section of land in (iodfrey 'I'ownsliip, 
ui)on which he resides, altliouj^h not actively eii- 
gajjed III its cultivation. 



■OC -H"H"H'-H"H"H' j^ -H"»"H "»"H"l"H " i-IX> 



Ol.. ANDKKW 1 ri-LEH RODCKRS, one 
of the survivors of the Mexican War and 
a veteran of the Civil Conllicl, is now 
livinjj in Wood River Township, near Maple 
Grove, lie was bmn in Howard County. Mo., 
OclolK'r I.'!, 1H27, and is a son of l-lbenezer and 
I'ermelia (.lackson) Rod>!;eis. The father was a 
native of Monnioulhshire, Kiiiiland, and was the 
eldest son of Kbenezer H., who came from Wales. 
Our subject's father, who was liorn in 17!*5, 
eninetothis county in IHI'.I. lie was a Haptist 
minister and at one time li.'id char<;e of the church 
ill Howard County, Mo., where he remaineil until 
IH.'M, when he removed to Madison County. He 
localeil at Ipper Alton, where his death occurred. 
To him is due the honor of havinif been one of 




till' founders of Mmrllell Collej,'e and he was a 
li'.'icher until shortly before his demise. His home 
was liead(|uartcrs for Ihc faciilly comiected with 
the colle^'c in the early days. He married in 
Howard County, Mo., a lad\' who was a n.ative 
of Tennessee. Of a slroiifj, positive character, he 
preached his ctuivictions of ri^^ht and trulli for 
ei;;liteen years in Missouri, receivin;; for pay diir- 
iii<; this lime only a pair of socks, which was given 
him by an old lady, one of the members of his 
church. In politics he was a Wliij;. 

To l'",l>cne/.('r and rcriiielia Rodfjiu's, nine chil- 
dren were born. Sarah Ann married William 
Hradley, of Wood River Township. .John, who 
diecl ill Aberdeen, Miss., was a jjliysiciaii. Will- 
iam, the iie.\t younyer, died .at the age of twenty' 
years. Kbenezer was a.ssistnnt surgeon in the 
Kightieth Illinois Infantry and died in !H7I. ICd- 
inond is the superiiitemleiit of the Alton Tile ."iikI 
Itriek I'laiit. Reynold is a |)li3'sician in Iowa. 
Henry I'., who lives at I'pper Alton, owns cotton 
[ilantatioiis in Arkansas. Susan is now the wifeof 
!■;. li. I.imoii, of Ipper ,\lton, and our subjectcom- 
pletes the f.ainily. 

The mother of our subject was born in Miir- 
freosboro, Teiin. Her father, .lohn .lackson, was 
with General .lackson at the battle of New Orleans, 
and after the war he renioveil to Howard CViunly, 
Mo., in 18IH. He was a Missionary Haptist and 
it was while living in that county that his daugh- 
ter met and married Mr. Rodgers. The latter 
returned to lOngland in 1H.'!2 and afterwards pur- 
chased the properly at Upper Alton where he 
spent his remaining days. 

Ainhew Fuller R(>dg(!rs grew to manhood under 
the parental roof, receiving his primary education 
in the district schools and afterwjird entering 
Shurtlcff College. In 1811 going to .St. Louis, he 
was employed as a clerk in a wholesale and retail 
hardware store for one year. Thence returning 
home he engaged in farm work until the Mexican 
War came on, when he enlisted in Company !•;, 
Second Illinois Inf.aii try, under Captain Lott, 
Colonel Iiissell eommanding the regimi'iit. He 
took part ill the battle of Ihiena N'ista and did 
good service in the cause. Thence going home he 
remained there a short time, but in IHi;i starte<l 



PORTRAIT AM) 1',KK;i;A I'lIK'AT- UKCfmi), 



r,n 



uc.roHH tlic" plain to (Jalifrd-iiiji, wIi<t<; for the lirttt 
yi'.'ir Ik; ciij^ay;'''! in rriiiiiii^. II(! iioxt scrvod lis 
Deputy Sliei'ifT of Safinirnerito County and was 
also a incinljor of the Suttler Uilhr ('ornpan}'. As 
Deputy Slicriff ho hcavmI undei' I'.enjauilii McCul- 
looli. In l«;')l ho returned to IiIh Illinois home, 
hut soon started a^aiii for th<! west. In Kehruary, 
he was wrecked off the j^ulf of (California, the 
Htearnship"Independcnce" with three hundred lives 
iKMiig lost. He was saved, lan(lin<( on Marj^iKiretta 
Island and was made piir»f;r while theie, having 
charge of some %.0,OOO. They were taken off the 
island hy a whaling vessel, and upon arriving in 
San Francisco, Mr. Uodgers again hecame Deputy 
Sheriff of Sacramentfj County, where he remained 
until 1855. 

On the death of liis father .Mr. Uodgers returned 
home and operated the farm and sawmill until 
I860. The war spirit wa,s still strong in the 
valiant hero of liuena Vista and in 18C2 he en- 
lisUid in Company H, Eightieth Illinois Regiment, 
iKMng elected Captain. The trfKjps were rendez- 
voused at Centralia, where they were mustered in 
August 25, 1862, Thoma« O. Allen as Colonel 
and our subject as Lieiitenanl^Colonel. fjoing to 
Louisville they were stationed there fork time and 
later engagetl in the battle of Ferryville, Ky., in 
which Mr. Rodgers was wounded in the head and 
carried off the field for dead. As a result he was 
obliged to remain in tlic lic^spital for some time. 
In April, 1863, he was ordered Uj take charge of 
the regiment on the A. D. Streight raid against 
Braffg. 'I'lie force was captured at Rome on May 
3, and sent as pris^jner-i Uj Atlanta and from there 
Ut Danville and Richmond, where the httU-Mn were 
put into Lihby Prison. Here he was int^rcenU-A 
for twelve months' remaining there until sent to 
Macon, Ga. At the end of six weeks he with 
other officers was placed in Charleston, under 
fire of the enemy and were lft<:ke'l up in a cell 
over night This treatment was their lot for six 
weelcs and among the nurnljer wa.s General Schofield 
of the Rt;gular Army. They were finally ex- 
changes! for Confederal*; soldiers. When they 
could exchange their gold for Confederate cur- 
rency and therewith buy provisions, they fared 
reasrjnably well. Wliil.- in priM^^n our >-iii,'u-i-i 



received his commission of (/'olou<;l and was af- 
terward solicil<;d by Governor VaU-s and Gen- 
erul RosecrariH to recruit for Ihi-One Hundred and 
I'"orty-fourth,and this he did, raising two hundred 
men, for which the fioveiiiment was to give him 
two hiinilred drafUtd men. This was not done; and 
he resigned November 25, 1864, having paid out 
of his own pocket ^2,000 in recruiting these men. 

Resuming peaceful |)uisuits the (.'oloiiel next 
turned his atUjiitioii to farming, which has been 
his employment. Mo was married May 'Ml, 1860, 
tfj Jane, fIaughU;r of IJenjainin D. l/il'laine, who 
came to Madison f-'oiinty in 180'!. I''ive children 
have been born of this union, John l{., now of 
Denver, Colo.; Catherine, now the wife of Henry 
Philips, who is with the Wabash Railroad; Will- 
iam, of St. Louis; Sarah IJadley, a graduaU; of 
MontiwdIo Seminary, and Henry Fuller, who is at 
home. 

In politu« the (Jolonel is a Democrat and frrt- 
tftrnally is alllliatf;d with the M.'tsonic order; he 
is also a Knight Temfdar, iKjing one of the oldest 
in Alton. He U;longs Ut the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows and has pass<;d all the chairs with the 
exce|<tion of that of Noble flrand, and he also is a 
Knight of Pythias. In 1870 he wasele/;U;d U> the 
I>egislature from MadiM>n County, where he mrvoA 
for two years. He has \>i-A:u Viw--President and 
Pn^ident of the Madiw^n County Fair Aw(o<;ifi- 
tion. At a numf>er of Congn^ssional and Slate 
Conventions he has s*;rved as a delegat/;. At pro 
Wjnt he is SufH^intendent of the .Montir^llo A<t- 
s<:mbly and is a familiar figure iHifore the public, 
ranking high as a jmtriot an<l true citi/>;n. 
Though the hero of two wars he yet retains much 
of the spirit and vigor of youth. 



k|^| »»»»'»»»»'»» »»:x> 



^^.l-X^RGK \'JfV\l. one of Highland's m'A' 
'|l , _— pr'^,(»eroufc and influential citiz/rns. wa 
V.^ fx^m in (ic/.tnaiiy .March '50, 184.'!*, and at a 
very early age was bronght to America by bis |»a- 
rentx, \x>tU of whom died in the >ninimf.r of 1819., 
H;. f;,tl,(-r wlio ha<l liccn a sboemaker, *ra* a |>oor 



530 



PORTRAIT AND mOORAPniCAL RECORD. 



man and left no means for the Mipiiort of Ins iIhto 
sons. Accord injrly, llio lilile eliililivii were l.iUeii 
into llip homes of sti:ingei-s, niul endured many 
hardships. The oldest son, John, is now a resident 
of Marysville, Cal.; the youngest brother, Joseph, 
lives at Spring lUntT, Mo. 

Our suliject was sent to live with a farmer, wiio, 
however, cruelly abused the orphaned lad. lU'- 
canse lie wo\ild not eat l)a<'()n, the man took him 
out and tied him with a strini^toa beehive, telling 
him that he would have to stay there until he 
could eat baeon. The bees eame too near to suit 
the boy, who in his efforts to brush them away up- 
set the hive, causing them to surround liim. So 
severely did the}- sting him that for many da.\s he 
was blind. This little incident serves to show the 
manner in which he was treated. 

At six years of age our subject went to live 
with John IJuchter, who proved a kind benefactor, 
allowing liim to go to school and giving him as 
good advantages as possible. In youth he learned 
the blacksmith's trade, at which he was working 
when the Civil War broke out. During the last 
year of the Rel)ellion he enlisted in the One Ilun- 
dr'ed and Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry and served 
one year. After being dischaigcd from the army 
he worked at his trade for twelve months, and 
then spent a couple of years in Colorado and Kan- 
sas, but returned to Highland in 18C9 and em- 
barked in the hardware and machinery business. 
He continued thus engaged until 18110, when he 
disposed of the concern. 

There has been scarcely an enterprise in High- 
land with which Mr. Roth has not been connected. 
He was one of the original stockholdeis and 
founders of Iho Milk Condensing Company, and 
it is largely due to his business foresight that it 
is now a great industry. During the dark days 
of its existence many of the stockholders were in 
favor of abandcining the enterprise, but he |)osi- 
tively refused, insisting tliat they must make it a 
success. This was ultimately done, and as he was 
llie largest st(K-klK)lder, it proved very remunera- 
tive to him. He sold his interest in the spring of 
1 Ki»:5. 

Mr. Roth has also invented and patented a 
number of labor saving machines that are in use 



in the factory, lie w.as one of the original stock- 
holders of llie Highland Karik, and is one of its 
Directors. He is the principul stockholder in the 
Highland Milling Company, which has a (••■ipacily 
of five hundred barrels per day. In ihc new 
creamery, known as the Highland Dairy Associa- 
tion, he is manager and one of the stockholders. 
Ill addition, lie is a stockholder in the Highland 
Hrick A' Tile Works. His jiroperty includes real 
estate in town as well as farming lands. 

Though a life- long Democrat, Mr. Roth has 
never aspired to political honors, preferring to 
devote his attention strictly to business. Socially, 
he is a Chapter Mason. In 1872 he married Miss 
Kmnia Kulinen, daughter of Christian Kulinen, 
one of the |)ioneers of the place, and a sister of C. 
V. Kuhnen, the wealthy retired hardware merchant. 
Tliey have three sons and live daughters: Lena, 
Irwin, Klla, Ada, Laura, Florence, Reuben and 
Carleton. 

^ P • 



¥ILL1AM W. JARVIS, proprietor of the 
Troy Exchange Hank, was born in Madi- 
son County, Hi., Marcli 11,1842, and is 
the fourth among live children comprising the fam- 
ily of Wesley and Mary (Kinder) Jarvis. The 
others were, George W., deceased; Sarah I., wife of 
George W. Hessinger; John F., who married Nancy 
J. Montgomery; and James N., who chose .as his 
wife Elizabeth Donslio. 

The father of our subject w.a.s the son of John 
Jarvis by his second wife, .Sarah Gillham, who had 
five children, as follows: Lucinda, wife of John 'I". 
Hays; John G., who first married Eleanor Brown 
and was afterward united with her sister Emily 
lirown; Wesley, father of our subject; Fletcher, 
who married Eliza Hrown, and Jane, who died in 
infancy. Throughout his entire life, Wesley Jar- 
vis engaged in farming. He was a man who stood 
high in the esteem of his neighbors and friends, 
and his death, February 28, 1851, w.as widely 
mourned. His venerable wife still survives and is 
now (I8'.I4) eighty-one years old. 

John .larvis, the grandfather of our subject and 
the man in whose honor Jarvis Township was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPfflCAL RECORD. 



531 



named, moved from the vicinity of Grafton, W. 
Va., to Illinois in 1803, and settled near Turkey 
Hill, in St. Clair Countj', remaining there until 
January, 1813. lie then settled on the present 
site of the city of Troy. The principal part of the 
land within the present city limits was entered by 
him in 1814. A town named Columbia was started, 
and the principal industry was the Jarvis gristmill. 
In 1819 more territory was added to the town 
and the name changed to Troy. Mr. Jarvis con- 
tinued to reside here until October 29, 1823, when 
death closed his long and eventful career. His wife 
survived him many years, dying December 24, 
1858. 

In the schools of Troy our subject received a 
good business education. At the beginning of 
the Civil War, in Ai)ril, 1861, he enlisted in Com- 
pany I, Ninth Illinois Infantrj', for three months. 
At the expiration of his term of service, he again 
enlisted in the same company and regiment for 
three years. He participated in nearly all the 
battles and skirmishes of his regiment, which 
numbered one hundred and ten. Twice he was 
wounded and twice taken prisoner. The last time 
he was an inmate of Libbj^ Prison, at Riclimond, 
Va. When Gen. Joe Hooker fought the battle 
of Chancellorsville, he well remembers the con- 
sternation produced when some of our cavalry 
raiders were captured close to the fortification of 
Richmond. 

At the cx[)iration of his term of service, Mr. 
Jarvis returned home and engaged in farming. 
He also commenced the study of law, which he 
finall}' abandoned for mercantile pursuits. In the 
spring of 1868, in company with J. A. Barnsback, 
he oi>ened the first lumber vard in Tro3\ In 1869 
he purchased his partner's interest and conducted 
tiie business successful!}' until 1876, when he dis- 
posed of the same to enter the live stock commis- 
sion trade at the National Stockyards at St. Clair 
County, 111. There he did a successful business 
for ten j'ears. In 1885 in partnershii) with II. II. 
Padon, he oi)ened the Troy Exchange Bank at 
Tro3'. The following year he retired from the 
live stock trade and devoted his whole time to 
the banking business and looking after his farms. 
In 1887 he purchased his partner's interest in the 



Troy Exchange Bank, of which he is now sole 
proprietor. 

December 24, 1867, Mr. Jarvis married Miss 
Sarah E., daughter of Thomas J. and Nancy 
(Montgomery) Barnsback, whose parents came 
from Kentucky and were pioneer settlers of Madi- 
son County. Mr. Barnsback was one of the lead- 
ing farmers of Pin Oak Township, Madison Coun- 
ty, and here died March 9, 1880. His venerable 
wife still resides on the old homestead. Of the 
marriage of Mr. Jarvis nine children were born, 
but five died in infancy. The others are: D. 
Genevieve, born March 1, 1873; Sarali R., August 
15. 1875; Bessie B., April 20, 1879, and Mabel, 
February 14, 1883. The eldest daughter is com- 
pleting her studies at Cornell University, Ithaca, 
N. Y., while the others are receiving instruction at 
home and in the city of St. Louis. 



._ ^mM®... ^(a)J 

•|( t^ •!• (^ aX* «^ «^ (^ (^ «^ t^ «^ •^•^^•^ 



^ 



LLIOTT BREESE GLASS, of Edwards- 
ville, now serving as State's Attorney, was 
born in Centerville, St. Clair County, 111., 
April 16, 1845, and is a son of Cornelius and 
Elizabeth Jane (Pulse) Glass. The father was born 
in Fleming Count}', Ky., in 1815, and was a son of 
James Glass, who was a son of George Glass, who 
was a native of Ireland, and was of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. James Glass was a farmer, and with his wife 
and children came to Illinois in 1817, settling in 
what is now Millstadt Township, St. Clair County, 
where his death occurred in February, 1863. Cor- 
nelius Glass died October 29, 1862. Both were 
Democrats. The latter followed general farming 
and was a highly resjjected citizen. His wife was 
born in Berkeley' County, Va., March 11, 1821, but 
her people were from Pennsylvania. She is now 
living in Upper Alton, III. In the family were 
four children, viz.: E. B.; Alonzo B., deceased; 
Dr. Cornelius A., who joined the Howard Associa- 
tion soon after his graduation from Rush Medical 



.."•2 



1\>KTHA1T AND liUXJRAPIlICAL UKCORD, 



College, and ■went to attend the yellow fever cases 

in \'icksbuig, and died i>f llial disease at Highland 
riarc Orlober 13, 187.S, and Kiiphemia N., wlio is 
living with her mother. 

Mr. Glass of this sketch was educated at Shurt- 
lo(T College, I'ppcr Alton, III. lie then went to 
LeavenwDrlh City and studied law with .Sears \- 
Taylor for a year, after which he returned to 
Alton, III., and entered the ollice of Hon. Levi 
Davis, an able lawyer, with whom he continued 
until his admission to IheUarin .Iiine, 1870, by the 
Supreme Court. In 1871 he opened an ollice in 
rpper Alton, and the following year was ap- 
pointed Stale's Attorney to fill a vacancy. Dur- 
ing that se.a-son he was nominated on the Greeley 
ticket as the candidate for the otilce, and was 
eluded overW.F. I,. Iladley. the Republican can- 
didate, lie held the position fctr four years. Dur- 
ing this time he removed to Edwanlsville. In 
187'.' lie was appointed .Master in Chancery of the 
Circuit Court, and wjis re-appointed for four suc- 
cessive terms, extending to 188ii. 

In 1883 he received the Democratic caucus nom- 
ination for Secretary of the Stale .Senate but was not 
elected. In 1888 he ran for I'residenlof the Hoard 
of Kducation and was elected by a large majority- 
In 188y he w.as elected and served as M.nyor of 
Edwardsvillc for one term, and in 1892 he was 
nominated by acclamation in the Democratic con- 
vention for State's Attorney, and was elected b}' 
a handsome majority. 

On the 18th of June, 1874, in I'piJCr Alton, Mr. 
Glass married Kiidora, daughter of George K. 
Stocker,one of the Associate Judges of the County- 
Court. Her mother bore the maiden name of 
M.iigaret Cline, and was a native of North Caro- 
lina, while her father was born in Louisville, Ky. 
Mr. and Mrs. Glass have two children. Breese and 
Genevieve. 

Our subject is a charter member of the Knights 
of I'ythias Lodge, lias always taken an active part 
in politics, and has frciiuenlly served as a delegate 
to the counly, state and congressional conven- 
tions. As prosecuting attorney he has lx?eu emi- 
nently successful. It is a rare thing for an offen- 
der to escape just punishment when Mr. Glass is 
the prosecutor. His cases are carefully prepared, 



and as an advocate lie Is forcible and convincing, 
rarely if ever allowing any point to escape that 
will be effective before court or jury. 



._OS- 



SI|-^4^||^#H 



=%EV. FATIIKK CH.\Kl.i;s A. OUKILl.Y. 

i(r One of the most imporUint aiirl responsible 
iii\V positions to hold in this life is that of the 
^^liead of a church, and few there are who 
assume this responsibility with greater blessings to 
the pef)ple and credit to himself than the piislor of 
St. Mary's Church of Kdwardsville, whose name 
stands at the head of this sketch. He was born 
in Amboy, Lee County, 111., May 21), 18G7, and is 
the son of Patrick and Ann (Lee) O'Reilly, n.a- 
tives of Ireland. They emigrated to the rnited 
States with other membei-s of the family when 
quite young, and settled in New York, where later 
they were married. 

Ipon coming west I'atrick O'Reilly settled in 
Lee County, III., where he engaged in meicanlilc 
pm-suits, and also did business as a contractor. 
Now retired from active cares, he makes his home 
in Livermoie, Iowa. In his political views he sup- 
ports the principles of the Democratic party. lie 
and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, 
eight of whom arc now living. Of the family we 
note the following: Bernard J. resides at Liver- 
more, Iowa; William J. died in Chicago, while at 
college, shortly before he w.is to have been or- 
dained; Rev. John A. lives in Marcus, Iowa; Pat- 
rick is a tobacconist at West Bend. Iowa; Michael 
IS engaged in railroading, and makes his home at 
Sioux City, Iowa; Hugh (lirst),llugli (second) and 
I'atrick are deceased; Mary, now Mrs. .1. M. Meag- 
her, is a resident of Livermoie, Iowa; Charles A. 
is the next in order of birth; ElizalKJth is the wife 
of J. P. O'Connor, of West Bend, Iowa, and Peter 
(a twin) is a resident of Livermore; Richard is 
deceased. 

The preliminary education of Charles \. O'Reilly 
was received in the district schools. He was then 
sent to St. ,Io.-.eph College, at Dubmiuo, Iowa, 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArillCAL RECORD. 



533 



where lie studied for lliree years. From there he 
entered St. Ambrose College, at Davenport, Iowa, 
where he was graduated iu 1883. Later, entering 
the University at Niagara F'alls, he took a theo- 
logical and |)hilosophical course. On the llth of 
June, 1892, he was ordained to the ministry. His 
fust appointment was as curate at Alton, 111., 
under Bishop R^an, where he remained one year 
and three months. Duiing that period he was 
Chai)lain of the I'rsuline Convent. 

In (Jctober, 18;>3, Father O'Reilly was assigned 
to St. iSIary's Church at Pildwardsville, of which 
he now has charge. This church was established 
iu 1843 on iMain Street, and there remained uutil 
188U, when the building was torn down and a 
new one erected on Park Street in 1890. His 
immediate [iredeccssor was Rev. T. M. Connolly, 
who was preceded by Father Daw, and during the 
pastorate of the latter priest the new building 
was erected. It is an inclosing structure of brick, 
heated by steam and lighted with cleclricit}', and 
contains an excellent organ. The congregation is 
large, numbering about seventy-five families. 

Father O'Reilly is very po|uilar with his con- 
gregation, and the church has materially advanced 
during his past(jrate. He is an eloquent speaker, 
a man of line personal ai)[)earance, dignified pres- 
ence and winning manners, and is highly regarded 
by all who know him. 




«, ^H.LIAM F. SQUIRE, one of the enter- 
\/sJ/i P'''''''"S business men of the village of 
\^^ Godfrey, is the proprietor of a general 
merchandise store, together with a farm of ninetj'- 
five acres which he rents. He was born one and 
a-half miles from the village in 1845, and is the 
son of William and Ljda (Widaman) Squire. 
The former in turn was the son of William and 
Grace Squire, natives of Devonshire, England. 

The father of our subject was also born in 
Devonshire in 1811, and was there reared to man- 



hood on a farm, following that occu|)ation uutil 
coming to the I'nited States when a young man. 
He was truly a self-made man, and although he 
was never permitted to attend school but three 
months, he first learned to read and then by hard 
study mastered other studies, and when a young 
man learned bookkeeping. 

On landing in the United States, William Squire, 
Jr., made his way at once to Alton and as his 
means were ver}' limited he engaged to work by 
the month. He was thus engaged for several 
years, in the meantime being married to Miss 
Widaman. At one time he was foreman on the 
farm for Captain Godfrey', which position he held 
for several 3'ears, and when ready to engage in 
fai'ming for himself purchased forty acres of land 
near the village. This was in its wild slate and 
he labored industriously grubbing and clearing it 
until he formed of it one of the finest iini)roved 
farms in the county. He added to this tract from 
time to time until he was the possessor of about 
three hundred acres. 

To Mr. and Mrs. William Scjuire were born three 
sons, James, a physician residing in Carrollton, 
this state; William F., of this sketch, and H. M., 
who makes his home in Godfrc}*. Religiously the 
father of our subject was a consistent member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics 
was a stanch Republican. He departed this life in 
March, 1865. His widow still survives, making 
her home in this village. 

The original of this sketcii was educated iu the 
district schools of the county and lemaiiied with 
his father on the home farm until reaching his 
sixteenth year. Then, the Civil War lieing in 
progress, he left home and became a member of 
Company D, Tenth Illinois Infanti^-. His com- 
pany formed a part of the l<\>urteenth Army 
Corps and began their service in Missouri. Later 
they were ordered to Nashville, Tenn., and after- 
ward went with Sherman on the inarch to the 
sea. Young Sciuire remained with his regiment 
for three years and eleven inoiiths, during which 
time he was never wounded or taken prisoner, 
although he participated iu many of the hard- 
fought battles of the war. He was |)reseiit at the 
Grand Review in Washington and was mustered 



534 



I'OUTRAIT AM) HIOGRAIMIICAL RECORD. 



out at Louisville, Ky., and discliargcd at Chicago, 
.July 4, I KG.'.. 

The father of our subject died while W. F. was 
.•iway from honu- iu the aiuiy.aml after returniug, 
in company with his brother he began farming 
the old jilace. In 1868 he was married tt> Miss 
L'luisn. a daughter of I'hilip and Catherine 
(Hunt) I'etcre. Mi-s. Squire was iKjrn iti Alton, 
whde her parent* were natives of Germany, ller 
union with ouv subject resulted in the birth of six 
children, namely: Kmma May, .lessie II., Frank 
W.. .lohn 1'., Clara L. and .lames M. Mr. Scpiire 
has given two of his daughters, who are the only 
menibei-s of tlic family old enough, good educa- 
tion, both being educated at Monlicello Seminary. 

Ill 18t!7 the original of this sketch joined Pi.asa 
Lodge No. 27, A. F. it A. M., and has reached the 
Master ALasoii's degree in that order. I'olitically, 
he is a worker iu Ucinocratic ranks and was elected 
Towiijhip Assessor, which position he held for 
thirteen years. lie has also been Collector for 
seven years and two years was Supervisor. 

Our subject farmed for lifteen years after his 
marriage, but in 1881 moved into(!odfrey and es- 
tablished a general merchandise store, which he 
has conducted since, lie is just and courteous in 
his Irealment of customers and coiisc<iucntly en- 
io\s a lari^e and lucrative trade. 



I®)- M^^^.. -(^) 



(^ 



S^ 



Jf AMKS O. .lONKS. This gentleman who-e 
I life sketch it is our privilege to present to 
' tuir readers is a well-to-do agriculturist of 
Fosterburgh Township, lie is a native of 
Tennessee, autl was boru in Murray County in 
18111 to Richard anrl Margaret (.lenkins) .Jones, 
whom it is supposed were also natives of that 
stale. 

The father of our subject was a farmer by occu- 
(lalion, and although owning an estate in the above 



place, was opposed to slavery and on that account 
moved to Missouri. Later he came with his fam- 
ily to this county, and iu 18.'?.') located iu .Mlon, 
where he was lirsl employed .as a teamster and later 
operated a stone quarry and lime kiln, lie died 
in that city when fifty years of age and his good 
wife followed him to the lietter land twelve years 
later. They reared a family of four sons and six 
daughters, all of whom grew to manhood and 
womanhood. 

.James G. of this sketch was educated in the 
subscription sc1kh)Is of Alttui and rcniaincd with 
his parents until attaining mature years. When 
ready to start out in life for himself he was given 
forty acres of wild land in Fosterburgh Town- 
ship, which was |)art of his father's property, and 
this he cleared and improved, living upon it until 
1850, when he sold out and purchased the jilace 
where he now li\es. The only im[(roveinent 
which this now thuui^lnng estate bore was a log 
cabin and a few acres cleared, ll'e immediately 
went to work to cultivate it and by much hard 
work has made it one of the productive tracts for 
which this section is noted. 

The lady to whom Mr. .Jones w.as married in 
1842 was Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of John and 
Nancy (Clanloii) Deck, and to them have been 
born two children: .lohu, wIk> is at i)resent re- 
sitling in Kansas, and Rachel, the wife of Freder- 
ick Reister. After the de:illi of his wife, our sub- 
ject chose for his second companion .Miss Ruth .1. 
Deck, his sister-in-law, and their family included 
three children: Elizabeth. Mrs. Henry Friend; Al- 
bert S., residing iu this county, and Willi:ini, a 
resident of Iowa. 

After the decease of Jlrs. Rulh .loiies, our sub- 
ject was married to his present wife. Miss Hannah, 
daughter of .James and Margaret Ann (Deck^ Hev- 
ill. .Mrs. .Jones was born in 18.'5G near where she 
is now living, while her father was a native of 
Henderson County, Tenn.,aud her mother of Ken- 
tucky. 

To Mr. and Mrs. .Jones li.os been boru a large 
family of ten children, four of whom died in in- 
fancy. Those now living are Eva, the wife of 
Edgar W. Lynch; Cornelia, .Mrs. Moses Werts; 
Margaret A., who married Lewis Golike; Thomas J. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



535 



who is at home; Louella, now Mrs. Thomas C. Mor- 
ris, and James E., at home. Our subject and his 
wife are members in good standing of the Baptist 
Church at Mt. Olive and in puli tics the former is 
a Republican. 



\^ 




vm 



';RID0LIN OSWALD, a contractor and 
(• builder of Alhainbra, now successfully en- 
gaged in business, claims Switzerland as 
the land of his birth, which occurred March 6, 
1^31). His parents, Baltz and Kalharina (Tschudy) 
Oswald, were both natives of Switzerland, and 
the father followed farming. He died in 18(j8, 
and his wife passed away in 1852. In their fam- 
ily were fourteen children, seven of whom are yet 
living, two being residents of this county, Fri- 
dolin, and Kallz, a resident of Saline. 

Our subject was reared in his native land and 
there learned the carpenter's trade, graduating as 
an architect and civil engineer in Munchen, 
Bavaria, in 1864. He then engaged in contract- 
ing and building for a ^ear, when in 1865 he 
crossed the briny deep to America. After work- 
ing for a few months in New Orleans, and foi' a 
lime in St. Louis, he went to Marine and built tlie 
schoolliouse there. Locating in Saline, he there 
engaged in contracting and building until 1883, 
when he came to Alhambra, where he still carries 
on business as an architect and land surveyor. 

In October, 1868, Mr. Oswald was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Maria Rail, a native of High- 
land, III., and a daughter of Jacob Rail, who came 
to Madison Count}' in 1840, and was one of its 
prominent citizens. He was a native of Baden, 
and his wife was born in Switzerland. Both are 
now deceased. Mrs. Oswald was born June 2, 
1852, and was educated in a Catholic Seminary in 
Highland. Our subject and his wife are the i)ar- 
ents of nine children: Anna, Fred J., Charlie, 
■William, Louis J., Minnie, Ida, Emma andTMabel. 
They have been provided with good educational 
privileges, fitting them for the practical duties of 
25 



life, and Anna and Carrie were graduated in 1894 
from the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College 
of St. Louis. The members of the family all belong 
to the Catholic Church. 

Mr. Oswald is a warm advocate of Republican 
principles, has twice been delegate to the state 
conventions of his party, has served as School 
Director and School Trustee, was Justice of the 
Peace four years, for the past eight years has 
been Notary Public, for two terms has been Vil- 
lage Trustee, and is now serving his seventh year 
as Township Supervisor. He is chairman of the 
committee on public buildings and has been chair- 
man of the committee on town accounts. In 1892 
he was appointed by the County Board as archi- 
tect and superintendent for the court house addi- 
tion, and at this writing he is serving as President 
of the Village Board of Alhambra. Mr. Oswald 
is now superintendent of a large farm of one 
thousand acres owned by F. K. Whitmore, of 
Springfield. In office he is ever faithful and true 
to duly and his public and private life are alike 
above rei)roach. He is recognized as one of the 
most valued citizens of the community and with 
pleasure we present this record of his life to our 
readers. 

• g )# P • . 




IIILIP LISTEMAN,the leading contractor 
|j and builder of CoUinsville, was born in 
Prussia, December 15, 1838. He is the sec- 
ond child in the family of Irbcn and Ame- 
lia (Hieuermontz) Listeman, who, on emigrating 
to America in 1841 settled near Evansville, Iiid. 
After a sojourn of one year u|)on a farm there 
they removed to St. Louis, Mo., and spent four 
years in that city. Thence they went to East St. 
Louis, 111., and after one year there came to Col- 
linsville in 1846. Here the wife and mother passed 
away in 1852. Six years later the father died in 
New Orleans. 

In the schools of CoUinsville the subject of this 
sketch acquired a practical education that fitted 
him for a successful business career. He was only 
twelve years old when he began in the world for 
himself, and the [}roperty he now owns represents 



536 



roilTlLAlT AND BIOGRAPIUCAL RECORD. 



years of iinremiltin<i; toil on his ])arl. Learning 
tlic carpenter's trade, lie was thus engaged for 
several yeai-s, but realizing that b}- enlarging his 
work he would achieve greater success he com- 
bined contracting with building and has carried on 
a large business in these lines for the past fifteen 
years. Many of tiie best l)uildii)gs in Collinsville, 
.IS well as the surrounding country, have been 
erected under his supervision, and he now has the 
contract for the construction of a number of 
houses in Granite City, a new town near St. 
Louis, Mo. 

The marriage of Mr. Listeman occurred in IHfil 
and united him witii Mar}-, daughter of Thomas 
and .Susan Wilkins. They became the parents of 
nine children, two of whom died in infanc_v and 
one at tlie age of twelve years. Those living are, 
Kmma, wife of Marcellus Leeds, of Madison Coun- 
ty; Susie, wife of Kverett Kirkjiatrick, of Los An- 
geles, Cal.; Maggie, Cassie, Clara and Charles, who 
are at home with their parents. The family is 
identilied with the Metliodist Church. 

Ill his social atlilialioiis Mr. Listeman is identi- 
lied with Collinsville Lodge No. 712, A.F.& A. M. 
In politics he believes in the principles promul- 
gated by the Prohibition parly, and uniformly 
votes that ticket. Though at no time an aspirant 
for political honors, he lias served on the School 
Board and in a number of local offices. At pres- 
ent (18t>4) he is the nominee of the Prohibition 
party for Sheriff of Madison County. 



-N» 



\Ir^ HANCIS LKDUC. Probably no resident of 
r^fe; Madison County is more deserving of rep- 
Its rescntation in this volume than our sub- 
ject, who is an enterprising young agriculturist 
and comes of a very prominent family in tins sec- 
tion. His father, who was one of the leading 
fanners of Saline Township, was the owner of a 
large estate comprising four hundred and sixty 
broad and well cultivated acres and ranked among 
its wealthiest citizens. 

The original of this sketch is the son of John 
Leduc, who was born in the northwestern [lortion 



of France, in a pl.ice called Briany, the date thereof 
being .July 27, 1830. lie in turn was the son of 
Peper and Josephine (Dumond) Leduc, also natives 
of that Republic. The great-grandfather of our 
subject bore the name of Peter Leduc and was a 
farmer in his native France; he was a renter, and 
lived u|)on an estate wliicii was in the possession of 
the family for a period of one hundred and thirty- 
five years. He lived to a green old age and was a 
member of the Catholic Church, as was the entire 
family. 

Peper Leduc was given a very meager education, 
and on the death of his father occu|)ied the farm 
above spoken of. He was married to the daugh- 
ter of Joseph Dumond, who was also a tiller of 
soil and a trader in stock. They reared a family 
of twelve children, of whom we make the follow- 
ing mention: Lewis, on emigrating to the United 
States located in St. Louis, where he died; John 
came to the United States, but later returned to 
his native land, wiiere lie died; Joseph also came 
to this country, and until Ins decease was a dyer 
of wool in St. J^ouis; Julians departed this life in 
Springlield, HI.; Peterdied while living in France; 
Frank after coming to the New World engaged in 
farm pursuits in Saline Township, this county, 
where he died; Magdaline married John Ganer, 
and is living in France; John, the father of our 
subject, was the next in order of birth. The re- 
maining four children died young. The father of 
tiiese children lived to the advanced age of ninety- 
six years and six months. His wife preceded him 
to the better land, dying when in her seventy -sixth 
year. 

John Leduc was educated in the public'schools 
of his native land and remained under the paren- 
tal roof until attaining his twentieth ^ear, when 
he decided to try his fortunes in the New World, 
and coming hither located in .Saline Township, 
this count}'. He was sixty-four days in making 
the trip across the Atlantic and first landed in 
New Orleans, whence he made his way up the Fa- 
ther of Waters to this county, where he joined his 
brother Frank, who had preceded him to this coun- 
try six months. On arriving here he had just 
#25 in money, but being possessed of a brave 
heart and willing hands, he borrowed money in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, 



537 



company with his brother with whieli to pur- 
chase sixty-seven acres of land, which bore only 
partial improvements, and which is included in 
his present flue estate. The brothers continued to 
operate together until 1867, when Frank died. 

The father of our subject has been very success- 
ful in his chosen vocation, adding to his acreage 
as his means would permit, until at the present 
time he is the proud possessor of four hundred and 
sixty acres, which make one of the finest es- 
tates in this i)ortion of Illinois. John Leduc was 
married to Miss Sophia Ilenschen, who was born 
in the western jiart of Prussia and came with a 
brother to the United States. She is now deceased. 
In politics the father of our subject is a strong 
Democrat and takes great interest in local affairs, 
contributing liberally of his means toward the 
furtherance of every good measure. 

The original of this sketch was born in 1863, on 
the farm now occupied bj' his father. He remained 
at home until reaching mature years, in the mean- 
lime being given a good education in the district 
school. In 1888 he mari'ied Miss Mary, daughter 
of .Tohn and Elizaljeth (Stoecklin) Blochcr, natives 
of Switzerland. Mrs. Leduc was born in Saline 
Township, and by her union with our subject has 
become the mother of three children, one of whom 
died young. Those living are Florence M. and 
Alvin J. Our subject began life on his own ac- 
count b}' purcliasing land from his father and is 
now the owner of ninety acres, which he has placed 
under excellent tillage. In polities he is a Demo- 
crat in principle, but during local elections votes 
for the man whom he considers will best fill the 
office. 



ji^'REDERICK KLINKE. One of the best 
ir^fe known farmers in Madison Count}' is Fred- 
/l^ erick (commonly called Fritz) Klinke, who 

is the owner of two hundred and twelve acres of 
valuable land located in Fosterburgh Township, 
lie was born in Westphalia, Germany, November 
1 1, 1831, and is the son of Peter and Mena (Okal) 
Klinke and the grandson of John Klinke. The 
latter was also a native of the Fatherland, where 
he carried on the trade of a blacksmith until his 



decease. In his family of three daughtera and 
three sons, the father of our subject was tlie second 
in order of birth. Ilis j'ounger brother, John, was 
a soldier in the German army, holding an official 
position. Joseph, another brother, was a black- 
smith by occupation and Mayor of his city; Anna 
I'^arried John Ilagan; P^lizabeth became the wife 
of John Koch; and Agnes never married. 

The father of our subject was educated in the 
common schools and when old enough learned the 
shoemaker's trade, which he followed in his native 
land. His wife was the daughter of Fritz Okal, 
and by their union was born a family of nine 
children, three of whom died when quite young. 
The other members of the household were: Marj', 
now deceased; Fritz; Xavier, also dead; Anna, the 
wife of Adam Kershner, who lives in German}'; 
William, deceased; and Louisa, the wife of Dr. R. 
Fuester, of Iowa. 

Peter Klinke seived for man\' years as a soldier 
in the German army, but did not paiticipate in 
any war. With his wife he was a member of the 
Roman Catholic Church. He crossed the Atlantic 
in 1861. and passed the remainder of his days 
with his children in the New World, dying when 
in his fifty-sixth year. 

The original of this sketch remained at home 
until attaining his eleventh year, when lie hired to 
work on farms and was thus employed until 1858. 
During that time he had saved a sufficient sura of 
money to bring him to tlie United States, and 
when landing in Alton on the 5lh da}- of June he 
found he had only $5.95 in his pocket. He im- 
mediately found work as a farm hand and for two 
years received as his pay 112 per month. At the 
end of that time he rented property and some 
three years later located upon his present estate, 
which then comprised forty acres, for which he 
paid $1800. He novv has one of the best improved 
farms in the county and makes a specialty of 
breeding stock. 

JNIr. Klinke was married to Miss Adella Metzler 
in 1862. The lady was born in France and came 
to the United States with her parents when ten 
years of age. Eleven children have been born of 
her union with our subject: Peter, Mary, Theresa, 
Rosa, John, Lawrence, Joseph, Frederick C, Bertha, 



538 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



Francis and Adella. Both our subject and his wife 
are inembere of the Roman Catholic Churcli.in the 
faitli of wliith all llieir diildrcn have been reared. 
In i)olilics Mr. Kliuke is a pronounced Democrat. 



■^-^-m^^^^s 



% 



vQ>-^ 



^^ nUI.vriAN S. LEIIR. This represenUtivc 
lf^_ citizen of Alton was born in Jefferson City, 
^^J Mo., December 30. 1840, and is the son 
of Solomon and Mary Ann (Routzoiug) Lehr. 
The father was born in JIaryland, while the 
mother was a native of Lebanon, Pa. The}' made 
the removal to Missouri in 1837, where Solomon 
Lehr followed the trade of a slioemaker and resided 
until his decease, the same year our subject was 
born. His widow survived him until 1884, when 
she too passed away, in this city. They were both 
members of the German Methodist Church, and in 
politics the father Vas a Whig. 

Tlie parental household of our subject included 
three children, his brother and sister being Will- 
iam E., who died May 6, 1893, and Mary E., now 
the widow of the Rev. E. H. Krieye, residing in 
Denver, Colo. Prior to the outbreak of the late 
war. our subject worked on his father's farm and 
attended the district school. On the first call for 
troo|)S, however, he enlisted, joining Comp.any F, 
Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and was mus- 
tered into service at Carap Butler. From that 
place the company went to the front and spent the 
following winter in Cairo. In the spring they ad- 
vanced on the enemy at Ft. Henry, which conflict 
was followed by the encounter at Ft. Donelson, and 
after its surrender they moved on to Columbus, 
Ky., where they also were victorious, and were then 
ordered to Island No. 10, where they remained 
until it surrendered. The command was under 
the orders of (ieneral Pope, and from the alx)ve 
place went to Pittsburgh Landing, arriving there 
after the battle of Shiloh. Thev were then placed 
in General Payne's Division, and Palmer's Brigade, 
and took part in the capture of Corinth, which 
w.as followed by the battle of luka. Miss. From the 
field of luka the company marched to Tuscumbia, 
Ala., where the troops went into camp for a mouth. 



From there they were sent to South Nashville, 
Tenn., arriving there in Septeml)er, 1862, when 
they were placed in the Ami}- of the Cumlwrland 
under General Buell, in whose command they re- 
mained until December, when General Rosecrans 
was placed at the head. With him the troojw 
marched to the field of Murfrecsboro, and partici- 
pated in the memorable battle of that place, when 
the Colonel of our subject's regiment, together 
with seventeen privates, were killed or wounded. 
After Murfrecsboro they advanced into Tullalioma, 
and going to Bridgeport, Ala., repaired the bridges 
which had been burned b_v the enemy. They then 
made a flank movement, Mr. Lehr's corps going to 
Rome, Ga., when they were immediately ordered 
back on a forced march to Chickamauga, arriving 
there the first daj- of the fight, .Saturd.iv about 3 
p. M.. September 19. They immediately aided in 
opposing the enemy, and in the engagement our 
subject's regiment lost eighty men in twenty 
minutes. The division was commanded bj- Gen- 
eral Sheridan at this time. 

After the battle of Chickamauga, Mr. Lehr ac- 
companied his regiment back to Chattanooga, where 
they went into quarters until re-enforced by (Grant's 
and Sherman's army. Their next encounter was 
at Missionary Ridge, where his regiment was one 
of the fii-st to ascend to the top with General .Sheri- 
dan following. The next d.ay they were ordered 
to re-enforce Burnside at Knoxville. and b_v a 
forced march they arrived tlicre just as the rebels 
were retreating. They then went into camp about 
a month, after which they were marched to Lou- 
don, Tenn., and made arrangements to spend the 
winter. While there they were ordered out to 
l)articipatc in the Atlanta campaign, and after 
reaching Sherman's army, took |)arl in the battle 
at Rocky Face Ridge, March 9, where our subject 
was wounded b^' a shot in the left arm and leg. 
He was sent back to Chattanooga, where he was 
taken to the hospital and his arm dressed. From 
there he w.as removed to N.ashville, then to Louis- 
ville, and linally to Camp Butler, where he re- 
mained until joined by his regiment, when he was 
mustered out September 20, 1864. 

Returning home to Brighton, thif stat«,Mr. Lehr 
as soon as his health would permit, engaged in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



539 



farmiug, which he followefl for about three years. 
He then moved into Miles and enihaikcd in tlie 
mercantile business, wliich lie conducted success- 
fully for about four years, when ho abandoned 
that line of work to engage Tn caipentering and 
building, which he has followed ever since. His 
advent into tliis city took place in December, 
1884. 

Mr. Lehr was united in marriage October 2, 
186C, to Miss Rachel M., daughter of William and 
Anna (McCann) Deck, and to them was granted 
a family of six children, Frank E., Eugene, Jessie, 
Freddie, Pkldie and Nettie. The latter three are 
deceased. In politics our subject is a Republican, 
and is a pensioner of the Government. He is a 
member of Grand Army Post No. 441, of which 
he has been Commander, and has held nearly all 
the offices in the order. He has a pleasant home 
in Alton, and with his good wife is always aiding 
the poor and need}'. Mrs. Loiir is a member of the 
Woman's Relief Corps, in which she takes an ac- 
tive part. 



T^ 



aHRISTIAN TONTZ, a farmer of intelligence 
_ and standing, residing in Saline Town- 
' ship, has a line set of farm l)uildings and a 
well improved tract of land, where he conducts 
general farming and the raising of stock. His im- 
provements rank among the best in the county, and 
make his farm a model and an ornament to the 
township. At present he is the owner of more 
than eight hundred acres in Madison County, in 
addition to which he owns four hundred and eighty 
acres situated in Crawford County, Kan. 

A native of Canton Graubuenden, Switzerland, 
our subject was born Januarj' 16, 1839, to Chris- 
tian and Barbara (Beruett) Tontz. The grand- 
parents were Jones and Mary (Barcli) Tontz, the 
former being a member of an old Swiss farail}' that 
traced its ancestrj' to Italy. He was a man of 
limited means and followed the trade of a butcher. 
His family consisted of ten children, three sons 
and seven daughters, and of that number two 
came to America, Christian and Maria. The latter 



married Felix Hitz and after a short sojourn in 
Wisconsin removed to Iowa, where she died. The 
othei-swere, George, Jones, Anna, Elizabeth, Eve 
and Elsbeth. Grandfather Tontz died at the age 
of ninety years, and his wife also attained a good 
old age. 

In the common schools of Switzerland, Christian 
Tontz received a fair education. In youth he 
learned the trade of a carpenter, which he followed 
in his native land. Accompanied by his family he 
emigrated to the United Stales in 1845 and pro- 
ceeding direct to Illinois, settled in Highland, Mad- 
ison County. The ocean voyage was of thirty- 
nine days' duration, and reaching his destination 
with about 8200, he purchased a horse and ox team 
and rented land in Saline Township. In 1850 he 
purchased ninety acres, comprising a part of our 
subject's property, and to this he added until he 
was the owner of about one hundred and seventy 
acres, all of wliich he placed under cultivation. 

In religious belief Chiistian Tontz and his wife 
identified themselves with the Reformed Church, 
in which faith they died, he in 1893 at the age of 
ninety years and nine months, and she at the age 
of seventy-six. His last j'ears were spent in the 
home of his daughter, Mrs. Ilirschi. There were 
four children in his family, namely: John, who is 
employed in a foundr\' in Kansas; Jones, formerly 
a prominent agriculturist of Saline Township, who 
died while visiting in Europe; Christian, of this 
sketch; and Elizabeth, wife of Christian Ilirschi. 

Remaining with his father until twenty-one 
years old, our subject then began farming upon his 
father's land. In 1859, in company with three 
others, he traveled across the plains to Pike's Peak, 
the journey being made with four yoke of cattle 
and a wagon, and thirty' -days being spent en route. 
They prospected for a few months, but never struck 
mineral. After spending some time in hunting 
buffaloes and other game that abounded in the 
west, they returned to Illinois. 

At the age of twenty-four, Mr. Tontz married 
Miss Rosanna, daughter of Christian and Magda- 
line Hirschi,and they are the parents of seven sur- 
viving children: Lena, wife of Henry Schruinpf; 
Maria, who married Emil Hitz; Elizabeth, George, 
Robert, Rosa and Clara, who are at home. The 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 



children liavc received excellent educational ad- 
vantages and George is now a student in a commer- 
cial (•c>lloge. After his mairiagc Mr. Tontz ronii'd 
land from his father, and thoii bought ninety acres, 
to which he has added until he is now one of the 
most extensive land owners of the township. 
With his wife he holds membership in the Kvaii- 
gelical Church of Saline. Politically he long allil- 
iated with the Republicans, but of late years he luis 
voted for the men rather than party. At differ- 
ent times he has served the people of the town- 
ship as Collector and Highway Commissioner, in 
which capacities he has materially promoted the 
welfare of his fellow-men. 



>»>^it>p>>q 




^II.MA.M K. WINTER. This popular young 
business man of Nameoki Township is en- 
^^ g^g''<1 '" running the "Five Mile House," 
located on Hoi-se .Shoe Lake. He was lioru in this 
township, June 22, 1866, and is the youngest mem- 
ber of the family of ciiildren born to Frederick 
and Margaret Winter, both of whom were natives 
of Germany. 

The parents of our subject each emigrated to 
America when quite young and met and were mar- 
ried in this township, making their home in the 
same neighborhood in which our subject was born 
and is still living. They are both now deceased. 
William, of this sketch, attended the schools of 
Colliusville, whither his parents had removed 
when he was six yeai-s of age. After their death, 
ten years later, he returned to the old farm, where 
he lived with his brothers and sisters until reach- 
ing his twenty-first year. 

That year Mr. Winter took charge of the Mol- 
linbrooke Hotel, a resort on Horse Shoe Lake, 
which he conducted with unusual success until it 
was destroyed by fire. He then went to Glen 
Carbon, this stale, where he w.as engaged in the 
retail litjuor business for a twelvemonth, and at 
the end of that time returned to Collinsville, where 
he stopped for a short time and then opened the 
"Five Mile House," which he is still opei-ating. 
Mr. Winter is spoken of as a "hustler," and in 



whatever business he turns his attention to he 
almost without an exception nijikes it a success. 

Ill February, 18X8, the original of this sketch 
and Miss Katie, daughter of Henry and Klizaln'th 
Meier, were united in marriage. Her parents were 
born in Germany and emigrated to this country 
in an early ilay. Mrs. Winter was born in the 
county, and by her union witii our subject has be- 
come the mother of four ciiildren, of whom Walter 
and Estella are the only ones living. The parents 
are members in good standing of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church, with which they have been con- 
nected for some time, and are active workers and 
liberal contributors. 

In s(x;ial affairs our subject is a Knight of 
Pythias, belonging to Lodge No. 86, in Collins- 
ville. Politically he is greatly interested in the 
success of the Republican party, in which he is a 
prominent and inllucnlial worker. 



w ,m ^t ,\, t . ^ ^^^^^ I f I f n» .» I . 



\| ULH S F. SCHNEIDER, the gentleman to 
whom the attention of the reader is called 
in this short sketch, is the owner of con- 
'}^^ siderable land in Madison County, and is 
at present living on a farm in Godfrey Township. 
Our subject was born in Wurleniberg, .July 1, 
1830, and is the son of Christian and Margaret 
(Seller) Schneider, and the grandson of David 
and Christina Schneider, all natives of the Father- 
land. The grandfather was the owner of a vine- 
j'ard and lived to the remarkable age of ninety- 
three j-ears. He reared a family of four children, 
of whom the father of our subject was the only 
member to locate in the United States. The latter 
was born in Wurtemberg, and completed his edu- 
cation in one of the famous univei-sities for which 
Germany is noted. His brother Ilenrv was also 
educated in that institution, and afterward held an 
oflieial ))Osition in Wurtemberg. Another brother, 
Ludwig, was Professor of Theology- in I'lin, and 
the entire family were finel}- educated. 

Christian Schneider when ready to commence 
life for himself was made Chief Magistrate of his 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRArHlCAL RECORD. 



541 



village, and then, on account of getting "mixed 
up" in politics, was obliged to flee the country, 
and in 1836 went to Switzerland, where he was 
made Assistant Secretary of the County Courts. 
He held that position until 1834, or until setting 
sail for the United States. The journey was made 
hither in company with liis wife and family, and 
Christian Schneider lirst located in St. Louis, Mo., 
where he began the manufacture of cigars. In 
1847 he came to this slate and oi)ened a factory 
in Alton, which he carried on for two years, and 
then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of 
land, part of which is the property of our subject, 
and there lived until his decease, when in his 
eighty-fourth year. 

The parental family included live children, all 
of whom were born in the Fatherland with the 
exception of the youngest daughter. Our subject 
was the eldest; then came Louisa, now the wife of 
C. Schmidt, Postmaster of Melville; Catherine, 
now the widow of William Achenbach, formerly 
of St. Louis; Margaret, deceased, formerly the wife 
of Jacob Yokers; and Helen, who married Eman 
uel Stiritz, and makes her home in Godfrey Town- 
ship. 

.Julius F., of this sketch, received most of his 



education in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, 
and was a lad of fourteen years when the trip 
was made to America. He entered his father's 
cigar factory, and remained with him until 1847, 
when he was apprenticed to a drug store in Alton. 
He was married in St. Louis in 1858, to Miss 
Theresa, daughter of Ivliinhardt and Mary A. 
Kientz, and to them has been born a family of 
nine children, all of whom are living and named 
respectively: Mina, now Mrs. G. A. Vittman; 
Christian, an attorney in St. Louis; Rene, engaged 
in the furniture business in that city, where also 
resides Walter, who is a druggist. The others are 
Jeanette, Julius, Lilly, Helen and Theresa. They 
have all been given good educations, two daugh- 
ters completing their studies in the convent at 
Alton. The wife and mother departed this life 
March 19, 1892, greatly mourned. 

In politics our subject is non-partisan, reserv- 
ing his right to vote for the man regardless of 
party lines. In 1869 he moved upon his present 
estate, which then included eighty acres which he 
had purchased from his father. While living in 
the Mound City he was Notary Public for six- 
teen years, and for nine years held the otliee of 
Justice of the Peace. 



-2S. 



idr^ 



20__^ 



Transportation. 



04 



TS^ 



■55- 




Tlie Wabash. 

to THE public and our thousands of readers 
in general: — It will no doubt be interesting 
to all if we give a brief description of 
this road. The Wabash as it is now'known has been 
operated under several names from time to time. 
It is the offspring, as it were, of the first line of 
road projected in Illinois, then known as the 
Northern Cross Railroad, extending from Dan- 
ville to Quincy. This was chartered in 1H37, and 
upon it the first locomotive was placed in the 
winter of 1838-39, running from Meredosia, on 
the Illinois River, to .lacksonville. In 1812 the 
road w.as completed from Jacksonville to Spring- 
tiehl, and three trips were made per week. The 
track w.as of the old Hat rail style, which was made 
by nailing thin strips of iron on two parallel lines 
of timbers placed at the proper distance apart and 
running lengthways of the road. The engine as 
well as the road soon became so impaired that the 
former had to be abandoned and mules substituted 
as the motor power. However, such locomotion 
was destined to be of short duration, for the stale 
soon after sold the entire road for a nominal sum, 
and thus for a short time was suspended oue of the 
first railroad enterprises in Illinois. Hut in the 
west a new era — one of prodigious industrial 
activity and far-reaching results in the jtractical 
arts — was dawning, and within thirty j-ears of the 
temjwraiy failure of the road mentioned, Illinois 
had outstripped all others in gigantic internal im- 
provcment-s, and at present li.is more miles of rail- 
road than any other state in the Union. 



The Great Western, whose name has been suc- 
cessively changed to Toledo, Wabash 1- Western, 
Wabash, Wab.asli, St. Louis ife Pacific, Wabash Rail- 
road, and The Wabash, the List of which it 
still bears, was an extension of the Northern 
Cross Railroad above mentioned, and trnvei-scs 
some of the finest portions of Illinois, Indiana and 
Ohio. It soon became the popular highway of 
travel and traflic between the east and west. 
Through a system of consolidation unparalleled 
in American railways, it has become a giant among 
them, and has added many millions of dollars to 
the value of bonds and shares of the various. com- 
panies now incorporated in the Wabash s\stein. 
The road takes its title from the river of that name, 
a tributary of the Ohio, which in part separates the 
states of Illinois and Indiana. In looking over the 
map of the Wabash liailroad it will beseen that the 
line extends through the most fertile and wealthy 
portions of the center of the rnited States, hav- 
ing termini at more large cities than any other 
western road. It was indeed a far-reaching sa- 
gacity which consolidated these various lines into 
the Wabash system, forming one immense chain 
of great commercial activity and power. It.s ter- 
minal facilities are unsurpassed by any com[)cling 
line. Its home offices are established in commo- 
dious quarters in St. Louis. The lines of the road 
are co-extensive with the importance of the great 
transportation facilities required for the products 
of the Mississippi Valley. This line p.isses through 
the sUtes of Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, 
( lliio and .Miclii<i;an. 



TRANSPORTATION. 



543 



Tlie various lines of road may be divided into 
the following: 

MILKS. 

St. Louis to Chicago 286 

Toledo to Kansas Cit^' 662 

St. Louis to Des Moines 360 

Logansport to Detroit 207 

Chicago to Lakcton Junction 123 

Clayton to Keokuk 42 

Bluffs to Quincy 105 

Streator to Forest 37 

Attica to Covington 15 

Champaign to Sidney 12 

Edwardsville to Ed wardsville Cross- 
ing 9 

Bcment to Altamontand Effingham 63 

Brunswick to Omaha 225 

Roseberry to Clarinda 21 

Salisbury to Glasgow 15 

Centralia to Columbia 22 

Miles of main lines and branches. . .2204 

From the above main line and branches as in- 
dicated it will readily be seen that the Wabash 
connects with more large cities and great marls of 
trade than any other line, bringing Omaha, Kan- 
sas City, Des Moines, Keokuk, Quincy, St. Louis, 
Chicago, Toledo and Detroit together with one 
continuous line of steel rails. This road has .an 
itnmense freight traffic of the cereals, live-stock, 
various productions and manufactured articles of 
the west and the states through which it passes. 
Its facilities for rapid transit for the vast produc- 
tions of the packing houses of Kans.as City and 
St. Louis to Detroit, Toledo and the eastern marts 
of trade, are u nequalled. A large portion of the 
grain productions of Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Mis- 
souri, Illinois and Indiana finds its way to the 
eastern markets over the lines of this road. The 
Wabash lias always taken an advanced position in 
tariffs, and its course towards its patrons has been 
just and liberal, so that it has always enjoyed the 
commendation of the l)usiness and traveling public. 
The road bed is one of the best in the country, and 
is ballasted with gravel and stone, well tied and 
laid witli steel rails. The bridges along the vari- 
ous lines and branches are substantial structures. 
The depots, grounds and general property of the 
road are in good condition. The management of 
the Wabash is fully abreast of the time.s. The 



road is progressive in every respect. The finest 
passenger cars on the continent are run on its 
lines, and ever}' effort is made to advance the in- 
terests of its patrons. The passenger department 
is unexcelled for the elegant and substantial com- 
fort afforded travelers. The sleeping cars on some 
of the most important lines are of the compart- 
ment system, upholstered in a costly and tasteful 
manner, e.ach room supplied with hot and cold 
water, also parlor cars on the principal divisions, 
and free reclining chairs on all lines. On several 
of the more important branches of the system 
dining cars are run. 









Cbicag'o & Alton Railroad. 

illlS road traverses some of the best territory 
of Illinois and Missouri, having its west- 
ern terminus in Kansas City, its southern in 
St. Louis, and the principal terminus and general 
headquarters in Chicago. It is one of the impor- 
tant lines in the great system of railroads in the 
Mississippi Valley. The Air Line l)etween St. 
Louis and Chicago, the most prominent cities of 
the great west, and the most pronounced commer- 
cial rivals, occupies a prominent position among 
the trans-Mississippi Railroads. This may be at- 
tributed partly to the m.annerin which the manage- 
ment has fostered and developed the local business 
along the line of the road since its organization in 
1862. Its management has alwa3's ke|)t abreast of 
the times. The length of the system is pr.actically 
nine hundred miles. In brief, the Chicago & Al- 
ton Railroad has by a judicious S3"stem of perma- 
nent improvements, and the introduction of mod- 
ern appliances, which tend to the preservation of 
life and propertj', placed itself in such a condition 
materially and physically' that its financial condi- 
tion is not easily affected. Its success as one of the 
great highwjiys of the west is an assured realit}'. 
It ma}- be appropriately noted here that, while 
much of this ro.ad's past success may be attributed 
to its admirable geographical location, embracing 
a very rich section of the country for local traffic, 



544 



TRAN;?PORTATION. 



.mA with t«nnini on Lake Miobigan, Uie Mlssii»- 
sippi and Mi^isouri Rivers, yet equally as much is 
due to the wisdom and staMlity of the manage- 
ment. 




nati. Cleveland and ^ Ji«eph. Mieh.. at which 
latter place it makes connection with a fine line of 
steamers for Chicago, thus giving the traveler the 
pleasure of a lake trip of sixty miles^ Tlie road 
has l>een for several years under the management 
of able men, who have been untiring in their efforts 
in bringing the road up to a high degree of ex- 
cellence. 



Chieaeo, Burlin^ou aV Qiiiuoy. 

"■^T^HK Rock Island division of this road has 
/ ^ only a few miles in this county. It cn>sses 
\^' the Mississippi River at Alton, over a splen- 
did new double track steel bridge which was 
opened for traffic in the spring of 1894. prior to 
which lime from Alton it reached tJl. Louis over 
the track of the Bee Line. The Burtington is one 
of the old and well known roads of the west, with 
general offices and headquarters at Chicago, and 
terminal facilities at most of the great cities of the 
west, notably St. Louis. Kansas City. Omaha and 
Denver, besides many im{x>rtant towns on the 
Mississippi, such as Quincy and Burlington. The 
road bed and equipment have always been of the 
first order of excellence, and the line traverses 
some of the richest and fairest portions of Illinois. 
Iowa. Missouri. Nebraska. Kansas and Colorado. 



^= 



The VandiUi.-* Road. 
>HK first train was run on this line in July, 
186S, and in 1870 was completeil its entire 

lengtli. Immediately thereafter through 

trains were established between New York and St. 
Louis by running arrangements, with tlie Penn- 
sylvania Central: at a later date by a connection 
with the Illinois Central jiassenger service was es- 
tablished over the two lines between Chicago and 
St. Louis. Both in passenger and freight business 
the Vandalia promptly became a leading factor in 
promoting the business intervsts of the section 
through which it passes. The impt^rtant towns in 
this county through which the r\>ad jiasses are 
Highland. St. .Jacob. Trov and Collinsville. • 



<C!. - '■■•■ff?^^-?- 




The Big Four. 

Y a system of consolidation and extension 
this has become one of the great trunk lines 
of the west, and now forms by running ar- 
^J^ rangemenls a part of the New York Central 
>ystem. though operated as a separate corporation. 
This gives the n»d splendid facilities for pass- 
nger and freight tratfic with the sea board. The 
.eneral offices and headquarters of tlie Big Four 
.re at Indianapolis. Its western terminus is at St. 
U.Miis. It abo has terminals at Chica>^'>. Cincin- 



Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City, 
' % OPl'LARLY known as Uie -Clover Leaf 
) !v_>ute.'" This road was begun in the spring 
^^ f 1881. and was tirst built as a narrow 
J J gauge road, and a few years later changed 
to standard gauge. The Clover Leaf extends 
frtim Toledo to St. Louis, almost on an air line — 
crossing the states of Illinois, Indiana and north- 
western Ohio — thus forming a very dinx-t line 
between St. Louis. Toledo and the Lakes for 
passenger and freight traffic. In Ohio it passes 
through a portion of the celebrated oil and 
natural gas region. This road has good running 
arrangements with several lines extending to the 
great commercial centers of tlie .\llantic sea 
board. 



TRANSPORTATION. 



rAr> 



Cliicago, Peorijv & St, I^oiiis. 

*IIIS ro.id was forniorly known us Uio .).ick- 
f^^ sonville Soutli-easlern. and w;is so operated 

/' for many years, or until the cliangc of man- 
asreinent in 18!)3, wlien it became known as tlie 
Cliii^ago, I'eoria A St. Louis. The main line extends 
from Peoria to St. Louis, a distance of one liun- 
dred and eighty-two miles, with a l)raneli from 
Peoria to .Tacksonvillc of eighty-two miles. This 
road traverses some of the best corn .and wheat 
producing counties in the state, and h.as a lai-ge 
and increasing local rreight and passengei- Ir.adio. 



St. liOiii.s A; Eastern, 



Vfr^'ORMMHLY known as the INIadison County 

fijte coal road. It was lirst constructed from 
East St. Lonis to (Hen Carbon in the in- 
terest of the development of large coal deposits at 
that |)lace. Subsccpu'ntly it was built to Marine, 
III., and lately what is known as the"Wing" road, 
a short- line extending from Mt. Olive to Alhrunbra, 
has ()assed into its hands, and now measures are be- 
ing taken to nil in the gap l)etw(H'n Alhambra and 
Marine, which will then make a continvious line 
through a line coal belt, and at Mt. Olive connect 
with the Wabash system and the Chicago <k Peo- 
ria Road. 




sJfillCtfcm^, -*5= 




u..«c&aiedl^ 



-^c-^^r INDEX -^rfifS^- 

i^t, . ^fi^V'' mi 

*^^^^ '■■ ■>■ •^- •t.A.t..*-.t..t...T..t,.t«.t. .t..l .r-.:.t,.T...t..t. .t.-.%.iiAA*.t,.t..t,..t...t.*.%,.T.-t„^. .r. . . .t,.t ■t.A.t-t. .t.4..t...t...t.^ g^r^'^^^^^ 



Adams, J. Q 3S 

Adams, Jolm 2;i 

Adl.T. L. W 187 

Aldmis,.!. il 490 

Allen, Abinm ;«0 

Ambl'usiiis, Hon C A '2<'i5 

Ambuelii, Uent'dicl ft25 

Aiiiliui'lil, Nicluilils i»l 

AniliiU'l, .lollll i»9 

AiidL-rsoii, J. 1' 278 

Appel, I,, J 185 

Armstriiii^, Wjlliain :l-t2 

Armsiionj;. W. I) 447 

ArLhur, ChesUir A !lli 

Asli,J. W 4.18 

AuwaillT. M. I'- 282 



B 



Backs, K. C 297 

Hadli'j-, William Sfi 

Haw, IMiillp 238 

Hakcr, 1 1. S. , Ji- 454 

Uallwft-, (.;. F 2J4 

lialstai-s, E. C 1!I8 

iiardelineior, Ernst 257 

lianisback, U. !•'. J 244 

Haiiisliai'k.T. .1 :K!1 

liauwli, lli-nry 429 

H.all. Kdi id :t<ig 

■li.«ll. J. W 4W) 

Ueuder, JuUll 43U 




lSIOGRAPF[ICAI 



I. 



Bcrkey,.r..1 31S 

Bcniius, K. (1 :)10 

Bilycu,O.K 445 

Blair.J. L 4fil 

Blaltner. .Joseph 1(17 

Boals,M. 11 38:! 

Boda, Oeorg.' 256 

Bode, Louis 157 

Bolnn , Frt'iierick 2(!1 

Bond, William 390 

Bosomvvurth, William 137 

Braden, Jolin 2!): 

Bradshaw, Hon. W. P 141 

Brandt, W. C 422 

Brenholt,C'ol. J. J 342 

Brocknicier, G. F 255 

Brown, A. W 3:iO 

Brown, C. U 431 

Brown, John 22.3 

Brown, J.J. ,M.U.' 151 

Brown, Matthias 495 

Bryan, Wilkinson 218 

Buchanan, James 75 

Buchta, (feorKC 284 

Buckley, C. C 2:il 

Bucknell, S. E., M. D 3!i!P 

Bulktey , Rev. Justus :MJ7 

Burkp, (;ol. E. A 401 

Burroughs, 1>. E 155 

Burton, C. H 123 



Cartwright, H. M 325 

Clmllacoml>o, Nicholas 440 

I'hanilx-rlaiii, II. W 408 

C-lark, M W :i2t 

UleniiMit, E. A 452 

C'lepper, J. F 824 



Cleveland, S. Grovcr 103 

Combs, W. S.,Sr 515 

Cook, William 2r,l 

Corbett, C. C. D. D. H 228 

Cotter, W.II 124 

Cousley,J.A 498 

Crane, 0. B 125 

Creane, J. M 505 

Crossman, S. V 2:iti 

Culp, J.S 28li 



D 



Dale, Hon. M. (i 125 

DnnkeiibriiiK, 11. F 2(i0 

Davis, James 457 

Dcmuth, Peter 3(8* 

Deterding, Conrad 307 

Dickson . Oeorsc 4(M) 

Diet/., Prof. C. L 220 

Dillon, J. D :!53 

Dixon, E.S »48 

Dorr, II. K., M. D 395 

Dornseif, Itev. h. W :l.37 

Dorsey. B. L 198 

(^rda.F.S 417 

Drcsler, J. H 501 

Duncan, W. W., M. D 478 



E 



Early, J. W 418 

Early, M. It 438 

Early, W. P 349 

Ealuu,U. A 238 



Eaton, W. P 259 

Eckart, Charles 2!'4 

Eden, B. H 407 

Kden, Elke 191 

Edinoiuls, Joseph 121 

Edwards, C. F 274 

Eggenstein, Rev. Henry 290 

Eickmann, Henry 280 

Elble, John ;I81 

Engel, Edward, M. D 400 

Engelhart, Henry .193 

Engelinj,', Frederick 29ii 

Engelliig. H. H 138 

Engelkc, Charles 208 

Kpping, Henry 270 

Evans, D. H :ifl2 

Everett, VV. W., M. D 276 



Faires, Hon. W. 11 240 

Fanscnroth, C. W 293 

Fcldmann , Carl 291 

Ferguson, J. H 410 

Feutz, Edward 152 

Fiegenbauin, J. H. ,M. D 378 

Fillmore, Millanl 07 

Klagg. Hon. W. C 217 

Flos-s, A. h 3:« 

Fornian, W. C 116 

Frerichs, Frederick 442 

Frickenstein, Rudolph 184 

Friedhoir, William 3.31 



(iarlielil, James A 9.1 

Uehrig, John 479 

llehrs. Henry 280 

UlUhaiu, K. C 221 



INDEX. 



547 



Glass, E.B 531 

Oolike, C. H 363 

Gonterraaii, C B.. Jr 487 

Graham, Robert 448 

Grant, Ulysses S 87 

Green, John 475 

Grosse, H. G 312 

Grnaz, Timothy 162 

Gusewelle, Gottleib 178 

Gusewelle, Henry 105 



H 



HjiaRen, Ijouis 4 96 

Hailloy, W. C .505 

Haaiey,Hon. W. F. L 118 

Haenny, Fritz 500 

Hagnauer, C. G 163 

Hagnauer, Robert 227 

Haight, Prof. R. A 470 

Hall, Hon. W. H 120 

Hamilton, Thomas 305 

Handlon .Walker 196 

Harnsberger, C. E., M. D 512 

Harris, L. 13 271 

Harris, T.N 483 

Harris, W. L 419 

Harrison, Benjamin 107 

Harrison, William Henry 51 

H.askell,SIiss H. N 492 

Hawley, A. T 527 

Hayes, Rutherford B 91 

Helmkamp. G. F 306 

Henschen, E. W 488 

Hensehen, Henry 499 

Henties, F. (; 258 

Herb, t^ A 409 

Hermann, Emil 151 

Hermann, Robert 416 

Hess, G. C 278 

Henser, John 254 

Hilton, Tliomas 176 

Hirschi, Christian 4.59 

Hirschl, Frederick 481 

Hodge, Abraham .421 

Hoerner, J. S 204 

Holfmeister, J. F 362 

Holden, Charles .i»3 

Holtmann, Henry 362 

Hope, Hon. A. H 522 

Hoppe, F. W 488 

Hotz, Christian 301 

Hotz, George 205 

Hotz, Henry 481 

Huestis, W. E 177 

Hug, John 523 

Hyndman, Thomas 3.55 



Ilgen, Rev. Peter 175 

Imnier, Fred 513 



Irwin, Hon. J. G 131 

Isaacs, S. A 301 

Isaacs, T. W 419 



V 



Jackson, Andrew 43 

Jackson. William 514 

Jarvis, J. F 298 

Jarvis, W. W 530 

Jellerson. Thoir.afi 27 

Job.Z. B 388 

Joehl.C.F 316 

Joesting, F. W 390 

Johnson, Andrew 83 

Johnson, F. M .520 

Johnston, H. K 377 

Jones, James 215 

Jones, J. G 534 



K 



Kaeser, Fritz 153 

Kamm, Robert 259 

Karges, Louis 232 

Kaufman n, Gustav 424 

Kelley,a. J 382 

Kelley, J.M 441 

Kelsey , Robert 220 

Kendall, J. H 370 

Kerner.G. J 187 

Kingery,C. W 422 

Kinnikin, T. U 235 

Kirkpatrick, Hugh 183 

Klaus, Adam, Sr 466 

Klaus, John 160 

Klausing, William 335 

Klein, N.O 314 

Kleiner, Albert .477 

Kline, B. P 383 

Klinke, Frederick 537 

Koch, J. W 3.11 

Koeneman, H. L 165 

Kohlenberg, William 351 

Kraft, A. J 473 

Kriege, L. W 309 

Krug, Joseph 42>* 

Kuethe, Christian 167 

Kuhlenbeck, J. H 289 

Kuhnen.C. F 211 

Kunnemann, C. H 315 



LaMothe, W. P 3.S7 

I.andoll, Adolph 520 

Lanhani, Hartley 143 

Lanterman, W. A 226 



Latzer, Louis 241 

Leder, John 330 

Leduc, Francis 530 

Leduc, Louis .525 

Lee, W. M 345 

Lehr,C.S... 538 

Lemen, E. C.,M. D .S61 

Leutwiler, E. C 318 

Levis, Edward 355 

Lexow, Charles 212 

Lincoln, Abraham 79 

Listeman, Philip 535 

Livesey, R. F 439 

Livingston, John 426 

Love, William 299 

Lowe, M. A 379 

Lowry, J. T 412 

Lueker, H. H 211 



M 



Madison , James 31 

Maecbtlcn, C. L 128 

Mahler, G. W 315 

Marti, Emil 201 

Matthews, W.J 282 

Maurer, Charles 2(>4 

May. William 251 

MeCormick, G. M 337 

McGaughey, Matthias 398 

Mclnerney, J. J 396 

McKee, J.M 437 

McKee,J. N 168 

McKitriek, Hon. William. ...423 

Mead.G. W 493 

Meckel, Rev. C. J 335 

Meier, Hans 319 

Meinerling, Bernard 308 

Merrill, S. G.,M,D 281 

Messerlv, Gottlieb 323 

Messerly, William 420 

Mettler, Peter 445 

Meyer, Henry 389 

Michael, Rev. William .513 

Miller, A. F ....3,56 

Miller, G.J 328 

Miller, J. A 1:« 

Miller, J. G 316 

Minter, J. S 295 

Monaghan, James 216 

Monroe, James 35 

Montgomery, Hampton 329 

Montgomery, Nelson 469 

Montgomery, William 247 

Moore, Maj. Franklin 287 

Moore, Capt. Troy 374 

Moore, Volney 408 

Moritz, Henry 271 

Miidges E. W 1.56 

Mueller, Adolph 272 

Mueller, Rudolph 480 

Mulloy, J. J 482 



N 



Nagel, Adam 146 

Nathan, Barnett 373 

Nelson, N. O. Mfg. Co 1.54 

Neudecker, John 4.33 

**if?ustadt, Capt. Anthony — 251 

Newman, J. R 166 

Niehaus, J. H 294 

Nixon, U. S 366 



o 



Oatman , C. R., M. D 300 

Ogle, J. M 318 

Oldenburg, H. W 277 

Olin.F. W 439 

Olive, James 522 

O'Neil, James 233 

O'Reilly, Rev. C. A 532 

Oswald, Fridolin .5;{5 

Owen, R. P 520 

Owens, Z.B 206 



Pape, Liulwig 205 

Parkinson, Hon. A. J 273 

Parkinson , J. M 148 

Pearce, J. B 491 

Pearce, M. B 435 

Peers,J. N 294 

Pen-in, T.H 414 

Pfeiffenberger, Lucas 384 

Plister, Louis 429 

Picker, Hon. H. C 435 

Pierce, Franklin 71 

Pierron , A ugnst 443 

Polk, James K 59 

Poos, W. F 275 

Porter, J. F :i52 

Powell, Prof. O. W 269 

Prickett, Abraham 164 

Prickett, Col. J. A ir4 

Prickett, Maj. W. R 117 

Priest, II. C 415 



Q 



Quarton, Jonatliati ;J44 



lis 



INDEX. 



R 



Raincy. H.m. T. T iitt 

Kamst-y. W. S 32(1 

Kaiiillo, 1". C 311 

Ufinhart , (ioirRC *\' 

Keintmrt. Jtiliiis 523 

KfiiilKin, William .'i(rj 

Kcinkf, I'ritz *2.'>7 

Kcnrro, J. J 317 

Ho.\ laiiil. I'etor 4:Mi 

Kiilimoiiil, V. I' ISS 

Kicks, Alfri-d »3 

Ki^Tirs, John old 

HiKKiii, T. A 2flS 

Itoherts, Ki>v. William 521 

Itobiiisoll, S. T. . M. U \'M 

KiHl^ors. fol. A. F S-JS 

Kolh, lii-orgo 520 

Kuch, Martin, Sr 4«2 

Hiicily, Daniel 510 

Kuody , lA>uis 5(»8 

Uiiei,-t,-er, Adolpli 177 

Uurnliall,J. H 243 

Kull), Adam -I.'VG 



Sanilbach, Siiuiuel 2:10 

Sclicer, D. f 197 

Soilless, BaUer J5! 

Seliierljauui, Kev. J. K .'>07 

Sehietlingcr, Charles 213 

Seblcgcl, Kev. August .2US 



Solineiiler, J. F MO 

Sclioon . John 279 

Schutl, A. H 215 

Schotl, M.J 115 

Sehrunipf, Kreileriok 503 

Sclirunipf, Henry 471 

SchuUze, William 31 1 

Schuize, 11. L :«1 

Schulzo. J. a 222 

Sohnnuioher, Outllieb 255 

Sehusslcr, I-. F., M. D 350 

Schwarz, John 4.5;{ 

Seovei:, A.T 372 

Segar, J. W 503 

Sepmeyer, C. F 472 

Seybold, J. M 21S 

Sey mour, Augustus 305 

Sharp, Henry 3(iO 

Sherfy, Isiuic :i8o 

Silver, Zephaniah :559 

Smart, A. S 13G 

Smith, C. P liil 

Smith, J. H 22.1 

Smith, J. H 112 

^mola .William 312 

Sparks. Hon . J). K SCO 

Spencer, John 202 

Spies, Charles 15S 

Spitze, F. W 309 

Squire. W. 1* b'Vi 

Slahl, Samuel I9S 

Stallings, Harrison 510 

Stalling!), W. H 5011 

StannKT, Joseph .501 

Starr, Capt. H. B 4i-.l 

Stienhans, J. H 310 

Sleinmeyer, Fritz 274 

Stevens, William 270 

Sloize, John 2:13 

Stra^-cn. Carl 2;;7 

Straubc, O. F. 400 



Subro.E. W 427 

Suppiger, A. A 172 

Snppiger, B. A 207 

Suppiger, K<hvan1 212 

Suppiger, F. B 203 

Suppiger, Louis ISA 

T 

Taphorn, Gerharilt, M. D. ...451 

Taylor, J. M 2S3 

Taylor, Zaeliary 13 

Terry, C. W 122 

Telheringuin, John StS 

Timnierhoir, Henry 18;! 

Thuruau, J. U 2Ut; 

Tousor, H. 407 

Tonlz, Christian 539 

Trarcs, J. S 1S2 

Trauernieht. A. J 474 

Trauernieht, J. A 197 

Trautner, Barnhard 4ty 

Tuxhorn, C. F 228 

Tuxhoi-n, A. Ci 228 

Tyler, John .'>5 



Van Buren, Martin 17 

Vaughn, C W 319 

Virgin, Jellei-son 114 

Volliiitine, J.J 47ti 

Voss, Henry 252 

w 

Wadsworth, J. L. R.. M. D. ..517 
Wagner, Joseph 179 



Walls, i;. W 327 

Walsh, John 244 

Walter, F. S 4ii5 

Warner. 1). II 392 

WanuK-k, W. M 411 

Washington, George 19 

Watson, Henry 455 

Weaver, John 171 

Wcdig, Hon. John 181 

Weeks, Capt. J. II 518 

Weidnian, P. S., M. D Ml 

Weis, Charles 231 

Wendler, John 311 

Westerheide, August 402 

Wharir, H.T., M. 1) 117 

Whiteside, T. V 192 

Wicgniann, Herman 3',W 

Wieniers, G. F 212 

Wilkening. August 202 

Wilkins.C. W 203 

Willi, Jacob 202 

Wilson, K. E I8S 

Winter. W. F .540 

Wisnasky. John .508 

Wolf, A. P 171 

Wolf, F. W 173 

Wol), William 421 

Wollbrinck, Henry 307 

WomI, Andrew 425 

Wordcii. Capt. Jones 32ti 

Wonlen, Col. J. C 191 

Wyss.S. H 311 



Zimmcrsohied. John 218 



^->i, 
^ 









A 



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j^ 



:^V;f^_A 



g^ 




TJ I 



Ailams.Jobn 22 

Adams, John Q 38 

Arthur, Chester A. !» 

Bradshaw, Hon. W. P HO 

Brown, J. J..M. D ISO 

BiictLanan, Jatnes 74 

Buckley, C. V 230 

Cleveland, S. Grover 102 

Dorr, H. R.,M. D 3fll 

Fillmore, Millard 06 

Garfield, James A. 91 

Gonterman.C. B 486 



Grant, U.S 86 

Harrison, Benjamin 106 

Harrison, W.H 50 

Hayes, Rntherford B 90 

Irwin, J. G 130 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson, Thomas 26 

Johnson, Andrew 82 

Johnston, H. K. 376 

Lmcoln, Abraham 78 

Lueker, H. H 210 

Madison, James 30 



May, William .2ii0 

Messerly, Gottlieb 322 

Montgomery, Kelson tSi 

Monroe. James 34 

Moore, Franklin 286 

Neudecker, .Tohn 432 

Pierce, Franklin 70 

Folk, J. K 58 

Powell, G. W 268 

Prickett, Maj. W. E. 116 

Priest, H. C 414 



Seymour, Augustus 304 

Silver, Zcpbaniah .358 

Smith. C. P 1«» 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Tj-ler, John 54 

Van Buren, Slartin 46 

Washington, George 18 

Weaver, John 170 

Wedig, Hon. John 180 

Worden, Col. J. C 190 

Wyss, S. H 3i0 



' A" l " l-*-i-i~i~i^ 



VIEWS. 



Balsters, E. C „ 199 

Eaton, H. A „ 239 

Johnston, H.K 403 

ZimmerBcbied, John 219 




H U 89 











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